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March 3, 2025 – In a move that combines aerial surveillance with automated license plate recognition, the Brick Township Police Department (BBPD) is deploying drones and Flock safety cameras to ramp up crime-fighting efforts. The technology, already in use for several months, has proven critical in tracking stolen vehicles, locating missing persons, and deterring property crime.
The BBPD’s drone program, launched in late 2024, now operates two advanced quadcopters equipped with thermal imaging and high-zoom cameras. Officers certified as remote pilots respond to emergency calls, accidents, and search-and-rescue missions. The drones provide a real-time bird’s-eye view that ground patrols cannot match, especially in dense residential areas and wooded lots common in Brick Township.
“Drones give us a tactical advantage without putting an officer in harm’s way first,” said Lieutenant Mark Rossi, head of the BBPD’s Special Operations Division. “We’ve already used them to locate a lost child within minutes, and to track a burglary suspect through backyards without a foot chase.”
The drones are also used for traffic crash reconstruction, filming scenes from multiple angles that help investigators reconstruct the exact sequence of events. This reduces the time roads are closed and improves evidence quality.
Complementing the drones are 20 Flock safety cameras installed at key intersections and entry points to the township. These solar-powered, cellular-connected cameras capture license plates and vehicle characteristics 24/7. When a plate matches a “hot list” – stolen vehicles, AMBER Alerts, or wanted persons – an alert is sent directly to officers’ mobile devices.
Since the program began, BBPD has recovered over 15 stolen vehicles and made 12 arrests linked to plate alerts. The system also helps identify vehicles involved in hit-and-runs, burglaries, and even domestic violence incidents.
“Flock cameras are our silent force multiplier,” said Chief James Lynch. “They don’t replace officers, but they give us a lead within seconds that would have taken hours of manual work.”
The technology has received broad support from Brick residents, many of whom have attended town hall demonstrations. However, some privacy advocates have raised questions about constant surveillance. BBPD officials stress that the cameras only capture license plates and vehicle type, not faces or driver behavior. All data is encrypted and retained for 30 days before being automatically purged unless it is part of an active investigation.
“We’re committed to transparency,” Chief Lynch added. “Any citizen can request a report on how the data is used. We’re not building a facial recognition database; we’re just trying to solve crimes faster.”
In the past month alone, a drone guided officers to a stolen car parked behind a shopping center, where the suspect was arrested without incident. Another case: Flock cameras alerted patrols to a vehicle linked to a series of garage burglaries, leading to a multi-agency takedown.
The department plans to expand the drone fleet to include a tethered unit capable of sustained aerial coverage during large events, such as the annual Brick Day festival. Additionally, three more Flock cameras will be added near school zones to monitor for speed violations and suspicious vehicles.
The initial investment of approximately $150,000 for the drones and cameras came from a combination of state homeland security grants and asset forfeiture funds. Maintenance costs are low – the drones use rechargeable batteries, and the Flock cameras run on solar power with backup cellular connectivity.
“This is a fraction of what we’d spend on a new patrol car, and the coverage is much broader,” Lieutenant Rossi noted.
BBPD is currently working on data-sharing agreements with neighboring police departments and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. When a stolen vehicle crosses into Brick from another town, Flock cameras can alert officers instantly. The goal is to create a regional network that makes it difficult for criminals to escape across jurisdictional lines.
The department is also exploring AI-powered analytics that could automatically flag suspicious behavior patterns, such as a vehicle circling a block multiple times, but such features remain under review to ensure they meet legal and ethical standards.
The combination of drones and Flock cameras is transforming how the BBPD protects the community. While no technology is a silver bullet, the early results show fewer stolen vehicles, faster response to emergencies, and a safer Brick Township. As the department continues to refine its approach, residents can expect even more innovative uses of technology to keep their streets secure.
For more information on the BBPD’s technology initiatives, residents can visit the department’s website or attend the next community police meeting on March 20, 2025.
