07/16/2026
Thank you Town of Irmo for sharing what the additional flock cameras can do for our community! It is important to know what the cameras can and can't do!
📸 Let’s clear the air about Irmo’s safety cameras.
The Irmo Police Department is expanding our Flock Safety camera system from 11 to 33 locations. We’ve seen some questions and misinformation online, so we want to share the facts directly.
🛡️ What You Need to Know
Vehicles, Not People: The cameras only read license plates and capture vehicle characteristics from the rear.
No Facial Recognition: They cannot identify drivers or passengers.
Not for Daily Tracking: Placed only at major entry and exit points, they are strictly used to solve serious crimes like vehicle thefts, burglaries, violent offenses, and missing person cases.
Proven Results: The existing cameras have already solved cases and recovered stolen property.
🔍 MYTH vs. FACT
MYTH: "The Town is tracking everyone's movements."
FACT: The cameras are investigative tools placed at key entry and exit points. They are used to identify vehicles connected to criminal investigations. The flock cameras do not monitor daily activities.
MYTH: "These are facial recognition cameras."
FACT: They do not use facial recognition technology. They are designed to read license plates and document vehicle characteristics.
MYTH: "This is government surveillance."
FACT: The purpose is purely public safety, which includes recovering stolen vehicles, locating missing persons, identifying suspects, and providing investigators with leads.
"When someone calls 911 because their child is taken or their car is stolen, they want to know we did everything we could to help. These cameras help us do that."
- Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale
We understand that anytime new technology is introduced, questions about privacy are completely appropriate. We welcome those questions. Transparency is vital, and our citizens deserve accurate information, not rumors.
Questions or concerns? Transparency is key. Call the Irmo Police Department directly at (803) 781-8088.
Learn more on our website: https://www.townofirmosc.com/news_detail_T5_R293.php