Real-Time Crime Center

A Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) is a centralized facility where law enforcement personnel collect, access, and analyze information from multiple sources in real time to support ongoing investigations and public-safety operations. RTCCs are typically equipped with large displays and multiple workstations that allow personnel to quickly access and monitor information from different camera networks and other systems.

RTCC may provide access to technologies such as automated license plate readers, gunshot detection systems, facial recognition, live camera feeds, and other data-analysis tools. Unlike fusion centers, which generally focus on sharing and analyzing information across broader jurisdictions and agencies, RTCCs typically operate at the local or regional level. Their work can support a wide range of criminal investigations and other law enforcement activities by helping personnel rapidly identify, analyze, and share relevant information.

Montage of photos from inside the Gastonia Police Department Real-Time Crime Center.

How the Gastonia Police Department Uses License Plate Reader Technology

Residents deserve clear answers about License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras. Here's what the technology is, how the Gastonia Police Department uses it, and what it's not used for.

Quick Facts

  • LPR images and data belong to the Gastonia Police Department. Flock, the company that makes the cameras, does not have access to them.
  • LPRs capture a photo of the vehicle and plate, plus the location and time — nothing more.
  • They do not identify vehicle owners or drivers.
  • Data is kept no longer than 30 days on government-managed servers.
  • Only authorized Gastonia Police Department personnel can access it, for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
Types of Flock Equipment

License Plate Reader (LPR)

Takes one still image of a vehicle's plate and body. It's fixed in place and can't turn or zoom.

Flock License Plate Reader camera mounted on a pole.

Live Camera

Usually at major intersections. It can be moved and zoomed.

Screen capture of a live camera view of a Gastonia intersection.

Audio Detection

Records only when it detects a critical sound, like a gunshot, fireworks, a boom, or a cry for help. It doesn't have the storage to record 24/7.

Flock audio detection device mounted on a pole.
How the Cameras Have Helped
  • Finding missing persons and responding to Amber and Silver Alerts
  • Recovering stolen vehicles
  • Investigating vehicle crashes
  • Locating wanted fugitives
  • Identifying suspects in larcenies, frauds, and other crimes
  • Helping neighboring agencies identify suspect vehicles and build accurate timelines

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What LPR Cameras Do — and Don't Do

Our system records:

  • A photo of the vehicle
  • The license plate
  • The camera's location
  • The date and time
Screen capture of Real-Time Crime Center monitors showing LPR vehicle images.

Our system does NOT:

  • Identify the vehicle's owner
  • Identify the driver
  • Track anyone's daily activities
LPR image of a silver SUV. The vehicle and plate are visible, but the people inside are not.

Most images are never viewed. They only matter when investigators are looking for a specific vehicle tied to a crime, a missing person, or a wanted individual. Owner information still requires a separate, lawful search of official law enforcement databases.

Because LPRs capture a photo, not just a plate number, they help investigators tell similar vehicles apart and identify the right one quickly.

Myths & Facts

Select a myth to see the facts.

MYTH: LPRs are used to track everyone in Gastonia.
FACT: They capture plates and vehicle details to help find vehicles tied to reported crimes. They don't identify people or monitor daily activities.
MYTH: Police can access this information without limits.
FACT: Only authorized Gastonia Police Department personnel can access it, for legitimate law enforcement purposes, under department policy and the law.
MYTH: The cameras don't make a difference.
FACT: They've helped recover stolen vehicles, locate violent offenders, and identify suspects in robberies and homicides — often producing leads in minutes instead of days or weeks.
MYTH: This technology is unique or invasive.
FACT: Phones, navigation apps, toll systems, and security cameras all collect data every day. The department uses LPRs for one purpose: solving crimes and keeping the community safe.

Our Commitment & Policies

The Gastonia Police Department is committed to using technology responsibly, protecting the privacy of law-abiding residents, and operating with transparency.

About Flock Safety

Flock is a private company that sells LPR technology to agencies, HOAs, and other organizations. The Flock cameras within Gastonia city limits are operated by the Gastonia Police Department — not by Flock — and the data they collect is owned by the Gastonia Police Department.