HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Hopkinsville Police Officers have successfully integrated license plate cameras into the city to not only track down stolen vehicles but also ensure the welfare of the public. Chief Jason Newby explained how the 26 strategically placed Flock cameras have aided officers, also addressing some misconceptions about the technology.

This particular Flock system is a fairly new piece of equipment, having only been developed nine years ago and used by law enforcement across the country. According to Newby, the cameras take still images of specific license plates that are entered into the system. Videos and photos are not captured of the interior of the vehicle, and the collected data is secured.

“Nothing in the updated Terms gives Flock ownership of Customer Data,” said a news release from the Flock System website. “Flock cannot and does not sell Customer Data.”

Common uses for cameras by officers

Working hand in hand with HPD’s city cameras, this technology is vital when officers are attempting to locate a stolen vehicle, or when they are trying to pinpoint the location of a suspect or individual. Once the specific license plate numbers are entered into the system, officers will get an alert if the license plate has been captured by the camera, allowing them to get a sense of their general location or direction.

“It’s not just for people that we are looking for because they are in trouble, it could be somebody that is in a mental health crisis…we can use the cameras to locate people and get them help,” he told Christian County Now.

In recent months on Jan. 2 officers were dispatched to the area of Eagle Way and Lafayette Road after a camera detected a vehicle that had been stolen from Oak Grove. Later in the month, on Jan. 19 around 3:45 a.m., HPD received a hit of a KIA Soul stolen from Georgia. This led the arrest of two suspects who ended up facing multiple charges.

Newby further explained that city cameras in particular were integral when two juveniles went missing in December. Officers were able track their initial whereabouts and lead them on a path forward.

In the year 2025, the department logged dozens of occasions where the cameras were used outside of stolen vehicles. This ranged from locating hit and run drivers, tracking down individuals involved in domestic violence, mental health checks and several other situations.

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