Stowe's City Council on Oct. 9 approved using awarded grant funds from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance to buy and install four additional Flock automated license-plate cameras at major intersections.

Police presented the award, saying the regional violent-crime-reduction grant covers equipment, training and overtime; the department originally planned to purchase a pursuit mitigation system (StarChase) but changed plans because equipment and labor costs rose. Chief Film (Police Chief) and staff met with Flock representatives and negotiated a discounted price for four cameras to be owned and operated by the city and paid for through the grant for three years at zero net cost to the city.

Chief Film told council the cameras would be placed at major intersections (ingress/egress corridors) and operate as part of the department's existing camera network. The grant is a reimbursement award: the city will pay initial costs and then seek reimbursement from the grant program. Chief Film said the Flock cameras have been used daily by officers and credited them with identifying suspects and assisting investigations since the 2024 installation of earlier units.

Council approved an ordinance (2025-202) authorizing the purchase and reimbursement arrangement; the measure passed by roll call. In committee and council discussion the police cited operational results since February 2024: staff said the cameras and program had helped identify 44 suspects, led to 22 arrests, produced 42 additional charges, helped recover three stolen vehicles, aided five missing-person cases and assisted in a homicide investigation and other felony cases.

"These cameras...will be on our major intersections to help with identification of vehicles that we're looking for that commit crimes or offenses," the chief said. "Again, this will be at no cost for the city."