The city of Emporia today launched its Safe City Emporia initiative, a comprehensive public safety program with Flock Safety. 

The project integrates the full suite of Flock’s technologies, including license plate readers, cameras, audio detection, drones, and connected software, into the city’s public safety toolkit to deter crime, improve emergency response, and help keep residents safe.

“Thanks to Mayor Carey and city council for supporting our police department with their technology efforts to continue to make our city safe and allowing us to use cutting edge technology,” said Emporia City Manager William Johnson. “This is another step to keeping our citizens, businesses, and visitors safe in our community.”

Safe City Emporia is a partnership between the city, the Emporia Police Department, and Flock Safety. “By implementing the most advanced public safety technology on the market, alongside strong safety policies and robust officer training, the Safe City program will help law enforcement increase case clearance rates, respond to emergency situations rapidly, and improve both officer and citizen safety,” Flock Safety said.

“With the technology we’ve deployed through Flock Safety, we’ve already seen a significant increase in our case solve rates and a measurable reduction in crime across the city. The Safe City initiative builds on that success,” said Emporia Police Chief Troy Hawkins. “This isn’t about surveillance, it's about using smart, proven tools that help our officers protect the community more effectively and respond faster when emergencies happen. Our goal is simple: Make Emporia a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The technology that will be deployed includes license plate readers, drones as first responders, AI-powered video cameras, audio detection, mobile security trailers, and more. Connected through Flock’s software suite, these technologies give officers and public safety teams the tools they need to prevent crime, speed emergency response, and strengthen safety citywide.

The technology

License plate reader cameras: Capture license plates and vehicle details, sending real-time alerts if a car is linked to a crime, stolen vehicle, or missing person. 

Flock DFR: Automated drones launch within seconds of an emergency call and can arrive in under 90 seconds, providing first responders with a critical head start before they reach the scene.

Audio detection: Detects gunfire, crashes, and other critical sounds, instantly alerting officers with precise location details. When paired with nearby cameras, Flock’s Audio Detection provides immediate evidence and helps law enforcement respond faster to protect the community.

Pan-tilt-zoom video cameras: High-definition cameras that can pan, tilt, and zoom across busy areas, giving dispatchers and officers to monitor activity in real time and guide units more safely during unfolding incidents. 

Community camera program: Extends the city’s camera coverage by connecting businesses, schools, and neighborhoods into the broader safety network. This collaborative approach ensures more eyes across the city and critical evidence when needed.

Connected software: The Safe City initiative also includes Flock’s connected software suite, which brings all devices and data together in one place. From real-time alerts and video feeds to investigative search tools and 911 call integration, the software gives officers a single, unified platform to respond faster, connect the dots more easily, and solve cases more effectively.

Each of these technologies supports the overarching goals of Safe City Emporia: Deterring crime before it happens, delivering real-time intelligence, improving emergency response, and solving crimes. Flock Safety manages installation, maintenance, and support, while Emporia’s public safety teams focus on protecting the city’s residents, businesses, and visitors. 

$100,000 allocation

As part of the Safe City program, Flock has also made a commitment of allocating up to $100,000 from its Thriving Cities Fund to support local businesses in Emporia. Backed by an initial $10 million investment from Flock Safety and managed by Homegrown, the Thriving Cities Fund provides revenue-based growth capital to brick-and-mortar businesses to drive economic growth. The Fund is built on the principle that communities need both safety and economic prosperity to flourish.

“Together, Emporia and Flock Safety are delivering a proactive, citywide approach to public safety,” said Garrett Langley, CEO and founder of Flock Safety. “This partnership is designed to give law enforcement better tools, provide residents with greater peace of mind, and create a safer community for all.”