Lake Elsinore Street Cameras Linked To Sharp Decline In Vehicle Thefts

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Cameras positioned across the city of Lake Elsinore helped cut vehicle thefts by more than 40 percent over the last six months of 2023, according to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station.

During Wednesday night's City Council meeting, the station's Lt. David Clark provided an update on crime statistics for the second half of 2023. While some crimes were down in the city compared to the prior year, the data showed a significant drop in vehicle thefts.

Over six months — July through December — vehicle thefts dropped 42% from 163 in 2022 to 95 in 2023.

"I'd have to credit the Flock cameras for greatly assisting us in deterring and apprehending people stealing cars," Clark said.

"It's almost like cheating," the lieutenant joked.

The Flock systems are automated license plate readers equipped with cameras capable of capturing pictures of fast-moving objects day and night. The systems are used for crime prevention and to assist with law enforcement investigations.

The city announced in 2021 that it completed the installation of 20 Flock devices around the city.

Vehicle theft wasn't the only crime to decrease in Lake Elsinore over the second half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. According to Clark, larceny and sex crimes were down. There were zero homicides in the last six months of 2023 (same as 2022). Robberies, aggravated assaults and burglaries were up in the year-over-year comparison.

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