RICHMOND, Va. — New know-how helps Richmond Police resolve extra crimes within the some neighborhoods within the River City, in response to officers with the division.

The Flock cameras, which is a model of license plate recognition or LPR digicam methods, are situated on tall black poles with a digicam hooked up to them.

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Major Ronnie Armstead with Richmond Police mentioned the cameras are rather more subtle than only a safety digicam. He mentioned they’re a license plate rear digicam, however they don’t seem to be in reside time. In different phrases, Armstead mentioned the cameras don’t frequently file and will be although of like taking a snapshot.

“We pull from it and see if a vehicle was in this area or download data into it and maybe the vehicle was in the area according to what you download but it catches it if it comes through the area again,” he mentioned.

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Officers mentioned the division acquired a $75,000 grant from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police to get the primary 10, which started as a trial over the past yr. Armstead mentioned that as a result of officers discovered the the know-how so efficient, the division bought 26 extra.

Armstead mentioned officers have used the cameras to resolve crimes for car thefts, theft suspect car descriptions and shootings.

“We’ve gotten a lot from them,” he mentioned.

RELATED: How Flock cameras helped police catch man accused of killing missing Williamsburg teen

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Armstead mentioned the cameras are posted up in high-crime neighborhoods and on streets all through town, however officers declined to share a listing of particular places.

The cameras are one device the division is discovering to be particularly essential for catching crimes in a time when they’re quick staffed, in response to Armstead.

“It’s an extension of the police military,” Armstead explained. “It’s strengthening us in methods as a result of, like I mentioned, we’re quick like all businesses are. So it strengthens our forces and reenforces what we don’t have.”

This is a growing story, so anybody with extra data can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.