Summit Daily News reported that all council members except Marika Page and absent Steve Gerard supported Chief Dawn Layman's proposal to move Breckenridge's plate readers from Flock to Axon. Page opposed using either company's readers. The Breckenridge Police Department plans to replace its Flock plate readers with Axon technology as soon as possible.
The Oct. 13 work session had no formal vote and no public comment. Layman described the change as an operational matter that doesn't require council approval. Mayor Kelly Owens said council effectively authorized her to move ahead.
What changes for drivers?
- Breckenridge runs six stationary Flock cameras and three portable ones, which police deploy during major town events or near businesses with high crime rates.
- All nine of the department's patrol vehicles already carry Axon plate readers.
- Under the planned switch, access to the vehicle-location data would be limited to Breckenridge police, according to Layman.
- Camera placement could change after an updated site study.
The department currently shares Flock data with 67 Colorado law enforcement agencies. Layman said sharing once reached agencies outside Colorado until it was narrowed after citizen complaints.
What does not change: the switch covers only the Breckenridge Police Department. The Summit County Sheriff's Office paused its use of Flock cameras for 30 days and plans to reactivate them, a decision separate from the town's. Cameras run by other cities, the county, the state or businesses are not affected by this switch. You can see mapped units on the camera map.
How do Breckenridge's plate readers work?
The readers capture still images of passing vehicles and their plates, along with the date, time and location. Police keep that data for 30 days unless it is lawfully preserved as evidence in a specific investigation.
Layman said an alert requires additional verification before officers act. She described a search as an investigative lead, not a decision. Investigative searches require authorization, a legitimate law enforcement purpose, and a case number or another documented reason. The department audits system activity every 30 days. For background, read how plate readers work.
When will the switch happen?
- Layman said the transition could happen before the end of the year.
- Layman said it would definitely happen before the town's contract with Flock expires in March 2027.
- The town will finish paying the Flock agreement, Owens said.
- Owens said the Axon platform will cost approximately $18,000 more annually than the current Flock contract.
The next step is an updated site study to decide where the plate readers go. The reporting does not give a date for that study. Residents can ask the police department for the timeline or check its plate reader information page.