More Cameras Expected To Be Installed Across Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — In an effort to deter crime in Lake Elsinore, the city is expected to lease an additional 25 automated license plate readers to be used across the area.

During Tuesday's Lake Elsinore City Council meeting, councilmembers are expected to approve the expenditure, which will cost about $87,550 annually over a two-year contract with Atlanta-based Flock Group Inc., according to city documents.

The Flock camera systems photograph license plates, convert the numbers and letters into machine-readable text, and tag them with time and location information. Images are uploaded directly to the cloud.

The solar-powered camera systems are typically installed on poles near intersections, major roads, and community entrances or in police patrol vehicles.

On February 23, 2021, the Lake Elsinore City Council approved the lease of 20 automated license plate readers from Flock. The cameras have been successful in helping solve crimes, according to documents from the city of Lake Elsinore.

"Given the camera’s ongoing success in supporting real-time investigations, recovering stolen property, and deterring crime, staff recommends expanding the City’s Automated License Plate Reader system by 25 additional cameras with Live Video," city documents read.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will continue to have direct access to the information obtained by the cameras, and any data retrieved will be in the agency's custody, according to city documents. The city of Lake Elsinore contracts with the sheriff's department for police services.

The data obtained by the cameras is considered "personal information" and is subject to privacy and security requirements under state law.

Lake Elsinore is one of many Riverside County cities that utilize the Flock cameras. Across Southwest Riverside County, nearly 200 cameras are now installed.

Tuesday's regular meeting of the Lake Elsinore City Council begins at 7 p.m. and takes place at the Cultural Center, 183 N. Main Street. See the full meeting agenda here.