New cameras help Wake Forest police find 3 stolen cars in 24 hours

New cameras in Wake Forest helped police recover three stolen cars in less than 24 hours.

The town is joining the list of departments using Flock license plate readers, which includes Raleigh, Knightdale and Garner.

WRAL's Julian Grace investigates what happens to the data pulled from your license’s plate.

There are 25 of those cameras in Wake Forest right now.

Those busy roads are where you may find a pole with a flock camera watching every vehicle that passes.

If you are driving through Wake Forest in a stolen car chances are you’ve been spotted.

Since Sept. 28, 25 of these license plate readers were placed in the town.

And because of these cameras, nine stolen vehicles have been recovered.

"Another incredible way to keep our community safe.," said Wake Forest spokesperson Bill Crabtree.

The cameras take still pictures of the make model and license plate number. The information is stored and when there is a match, the image the is sent to police.

Flock spokesperson Holly Beilin explained the data process.

"It is stored for 30 days - that is if a crime happens. After 30 days that data is hard deleted. It can never be accessed again."

According to representatives at Flock, the still images do not include facial recognition.

The information collected off the plates is not sold, or used for traffic enforcement. It’s only used if the vehicle is part of some criminal activity.

"I feel okay about that I’m not doing anything wrong," said Wake Forest resident Glenn Poole. "If can help the police do their job that is fine with me."

Currently Wake Forest has a contract to have the 25 cameras for the next two years.

There's no word yet on if the town will extend the lease.