Wichita City Council Approves Funding to Expand Flock System, 'Gunshot Detectors'

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Wichita City Council has approved funding for the Wichita Police Department's requested expansion of flock devices and gunshot detection devices.

Herd cameras capture images of passing vehicles and their license plates. The expanded technology with gunshot detection is intended to help police solve more crimes.

New information from Wichita police shows most shootings go unreported in some areas. That's why the department called for an expansion of its flock surveillance system and devices known as “shot detectors,” which directly notify officers of shots fired nearby. The devices will be installed in areas of central and south Wichita and the WPD hopes to install more throughout the city.

“We know people want us to respond, and we can't respond if we don't know what's happening,” summarized WPD Captain Aaron Moses.

Since 2020 and the introduction of license plate readers in Wichita, WPD reports the recovery of at least $5.4 million in stolen property. Most of the items seized were stolen vehicles.

“Our officers receive an alert that a stolen vehicle license plate was seen at this location seconds ago. So if an officer is nearby, they can respond. They can locate this vehicle,” Moses explained.

On Tuesday morning, city leaders approved 31 new license plate readers.

To reduce costs, ten license plate readers will be purchased as part of a five-year contract. The plan is to purchase 21 additional devices as part of a two-year contract.

Wichita police say installing additional systems will help recover more stolen property. The total cost for all the expanded technology is approximately $337,000.

“The cost of 10 additional Flock Safety Falcon readers is $151,500. This includes annual payments of $30,000 each and a one-time implementation fee of $1,500,” the city said. “…The additional 21 Flock Safety Falcon readers and the four square mile expansion of gunshot detection coverage cost $186,150 for one year, including a $20,000 rebate based on existing infrastructure.”

Moses also discussed the life-saving potential of gunshot detection.

“I remember an incident where I was a patrol officer in a neighborhood and heard gunshots that no one knew where they were coming from. And at the end we found a person lying on the side of the road who had been shot,” Moses remembers. “With this system, we would have been right there where that person was and could have provided assistance.”

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