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The City of Wyoming in the few days that four new license plate reader devices  were activated on local roads — reviewed data on 1,100 “alerts” identifying license plates tied to everything from revoked and/or suspended drivers, stolen vehicles or plates and one driver was arrested alleged to have violated a no contact order.

The devices were approved by city council late this summer to be erected at strategic sites for traffic monitoring.  Wyoming joined Chisago County and Rush City in installing the units and other local departments are in the process of acquiring or budgeting for the devices.

Wyoming Chief of Police and Public Safety Director Neil Bauer said many information points developed in concert with the automated license plate readers are available for the public to get comfortable with.  The Wyoming Police website has a link or portal into the public database.  Bauer added that “transparency” is a concern of policymakers and the public and this is one measure being offered to address this issue.  Wyoming has received no complaints on the devices being used so far.

There is work still taking place to “integrate” the Wyoming devices into the Flock system as well as needing signed agreements with other departments on sharing the information developed and fine tuning the “settings” to retrieve desired input.

Chief Bauer also received approval from city council last week to expand the sergeant hiring process to include applicants from outside the department.  This hire is in anticipation of filling a retirement in several months.  Wyoming also has one current vacancy in the patrol officer area.  

A firefighter resignation was also accepted leaving a vacancy on the fire department.

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