Jonesboro Police Deploy 55 Flock Cameras, Report Crime Drop

Automated plate readers reshape policing in Arkansas city

The Jonesboro Police Department in Arkansas has deployed 55 automated license plate reader cameras from Flock Safety across the city, and officials say the technology has delivered measurable results in crime reduction and case clearance.

According to video analyst Brandon Reid at the department's Real Time Crime Center, Jonesboro saw a noticeable decline in criminal activity between the 2024 and 2025 holiday seasons as word spread among offenders that the city was heavily monitored. The department attributes much of that reduction to the Flock system, which captures still images of vehicles including license plates and identifying features like bumper stickers or roof racks.

How the system works

The 55 Flock cameras represent a fraction of the more than 800 total video feeds connected to Jonesboro's Real Time Crime Center. Police Chief Rick Elliott emphasized that officers do not actively monitor drivers in real time.

"It's impossible," Elliott told KAIT. "The cameras are there. They record. If there's something that takes place that's under investigation, whether it's an accident investigation or criminal investigation, then they go back and rewind the camera to that date, time, or approximate time."

The system includes built-in safeguards against misuse. Officers cannot freely search the database. Every access requires an active case number, an offense code, and documented investigative justification. Following concerns about potential misuse, the department also restricted outside agencies from accessing its Flock cameras.

Cross-jurisdictional crime and case clearance

Elliott said the technology has proven especially valuable for tracking crimes that cross state lines, including hit-and-run crashes, property thefts, and stolen vehicles. Without automated readers, many of those cases would remain unsolved.

"We went through most of my career without this kind of technology, and cases went unsolved," Elliott said.

The department reports that between 26% and 28% of all criminal arrests in Jonesboro involve suspects who do not live in the city. Elliott said deterring out-of-town offenders from targeting Jonesboro is a priority.

"If we can bust up and deter people from coming to Jonesboro to commit crimes because there's a fear of apprehension, so be it," Elliott said. "My goal is keep Jonesboro safe, and I'm not backing down."

Why it matters

Automated license plate readers are rapidly expanding across U.S. municipalities, but questions about privacy, data retention, and potential misuse remain contentious. Jonesboro's experience offers a case study in how mid-sized departments are implementing access controls and measuring operational impact. The reported crime reduction and improved clearance rates will likely inform debates about surveillance technology adoption in similar jurisdictions.

Details were first reported by KAIT.