License-plate reading cameras installed at Destiny USA vehicle entrances to help prevent crime

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Destiny USA on Wednesday announced a partnership with the Syracuse Police Department and Flock Safety, a crime-solving technology company.

Flock Safety license plate reading (LPR) cameras will provide law enforcement with real-time data to identify the make, model, color, and license plate of each vehicle entering and exiting every vehicle entrance to Destiny USA, per the Wednesday announcement.

The Destiny news release didn’t mention them, but the decision follows incidents at Destiny in recent months that required lockdowns, mall evacuations, and police investigations. They included a shots-fired investigation that started on the afternoon of Feb. 24 and ended with the arrest of a teenager on March 1, per a March 2 email from the Syracuse Police Department.

“Partnering with Flock Safety to provide helpful information to law enforcement that will help prevent crime and solve incidents was an easy decision,” Stephen Congel, CEO of Pyramid Management Group, said in the news release. “We are deeply committed to doing our part to keep Destiny USA and the community that supports us safe while assisting law enforcement.”

Destiny USA describes itself as the “largest shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in New York State.”

Flock Safety LPR cameras capture actionable evidence and send real-time alerts if a wanted or stolen vehicle passes by the cameras. The alerts are sent to law enforcement within seconds. For example, if a vehicle is reported stolen and that vehicle arrives at Destiny USA, a real-time alert is sent to law enforcement telling them that the vehicle is at Destiny and which entrance the vehicle used to access the property.

“The Syracuse Police Department is pleased to partner with Pyramid Management Group to continue to provide a safe and enjoyable experience at Destiny USA,” Syracuse Chief of Police Joseph Cecile said. “We are excited to see Destiny USA’s further investment in public safety by partnering with Flock Safety cameras. Technology is a force-multiplier when it comes to criminal prevention and apprehension. Having these cameras at Destiny USA will aid us in being able to better identify criminal behavior and lead to quicker arrests. We applaud Pyramid’s efforts and look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure the safety of our Syracuse community.”

Destiny USA noted that Flock Safety cameras are not used for traffic enforcement and do not take photos of vehicle occupants. Data from the Flock Safety cameras are securely stored in the cloud and are not sold or shared with third parties.

Flock Safety cameras have been in operation for more than a year now at Pyramid-owned Walden Galleria in suburban Buffalo and have been “highly successful” in both the prevention of crime and creating a safer community, Destiny contended.