During Monday’s regular Carthage Board of Commissioners meeting, Police Chief Bart Davis and representatives from Flock Safety gave a presentation to the board to possibly install license plate recognition (LPR) cameras at the town’s entrances.
Davis and Town Manager Emily Yopp have been working together to assess the current and future needs of the police department for some time. They have been looking to identify areas where the town could benefit from enhanced public safety services, which include technology offered by Flock Safety.
“As Carthage and its surrounding areas continue to grow, we believe it is crucial to take a proactive approach in identifying programs and services that will deliver immediate benefits now and in the future,” wrote Yopp in an email to Sandhills Sentinel. “We feel that Flock Safety’s services could significantly improve public safety and serve as a force multiplier for our police officers, helping them maintain or even enhance their service to the community.”
The cameras would be utilized for investigations to record the backs of vehicles. This would help officers by giving them plate numbers, vehicle colors, and make and model.
Flock Safety services over 5,000 communities, one being Southern Pines. They would lease the cameras, handle installation and maintenance, and provide the software for the town.
Since 2022, this system has helped law enforcement agencies solve 256 investigations, locate 144 stolen vehicles, and helped locate 40 missing people. The company offers several types of cameras, including gunshot detection cameras, live surveillance cameras, and LPR cameras.
“Like a lot of agencies, we are suffering from staffing issues, and this will help,” said Davis.
Davis and Yopp will continue to discuss Flock Safety’s services. If they decide Flock Safety is the company to work with, they will take their recommendation to the Board of Commissioners at a later meeting.
If the board passes the project, the cost will be determined once a package is selected.
Ouida Food Truck Park
The Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a land conditional zoning for Ouida Food Truck Park. Ouida Newell went before the commissioners after meeting with the Carthage Planning Board a week and a half ago.
The 1.23-acre site will have four food trucks, and beer and wine will be served on the porch of an existing building.
Instead of creating a future bed-and-breakfast in one of the buildings initially presented to the Planning Board, the main building will now serve as office space that Newell will rent out.
The commissioners added a condition that handicap-accessible bathrooms in the building located at 310 Monroe Street should be installed within three months.
The food truck park will be open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. in the winter and until 10 p.m. during the summer. The park will be open Wednesday through Sunday.
Newell told Sandhills Sentinel that opening day is scheduled for Dec. 4.
Feature photo: Carthage Police Chief Bart Davis speaks to the commissioners on installing LPR cameras on Nov. 18.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self. Curtis has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2019.
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