by Richard Uhlhorn
Flock camera systems:
Under Sheriff Dan Ozment gave Chelan City Council an update on the department’s Flock Camera program that will be put into place around the 2,900 square miles the department is responsible for.
A Flock camera is an Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system that captures vehicle information. Typically, the information includes license plate numbers, make, model, color and other features on the vehicle like bumper stickers, tool boxes, etc.
Flock cameras are solar powered and help communities and law enforcement deter and solve crimes by providing law enforcement agencies searchable footage of vehicles and generation of known threats like missing persons. Access is limited to customer owners and law enforcement agencies.
“It’s a way for us to look to see if a (suspect) vehicle has passed through an area,” said Ozment. “They are not live recording cameras.”
Ozment went on to say that the cameras can be used for Amber and Silver Alerts, but that information is not shared with ICE.
He gave an example of how the system works for law enforcement. “We received information about a $180,000 boat that was stolen.” Ozment said through the use of the Flock camera system, they were able to trace the pickup and boat to East Wenatchee.
There will be a camera at Les Schwab, two at Pat and Mikes, and one at Lakeside. “This is not a surveillance tool,” Ozment added. “Yakima has 46 of them in use and has already helped them solve three homicides.
“We are ready to install.”
Mayor Erin McCardle asked where in the county they would be used. Ozment replied that they only capture one-way. “At Pat & Mikes we capture outbound traffic.”
Sheriff Mike Morrison added that if the cameras had been in use during the Decker tragedy, “We would have had him when he turned onto Icicle Road.” Morrison added that Omak has solved a homicide with the use of camera information.
In other business:
Parks Director Paul Horne presented information to council on two items:
- Parks Prohibited Acts and Area Restrictions:
Horne reported that the department has developed two revisions to the mandate including Area Restrictions for non-motorized watercraft are permitted during the seasonal watercraft restrictions at Lakeside Park.
That a provision has been added to permit mooraged at designated City supplied mooring buoys at Lakeside Park. - Service animals – revised to identify that ADA-defined service animals are permitted in all City Parks when accompanying disabled individuals.
Propane & Electric cooking devices – The parks prohibition has been expanded to clarify the prohibition of propane and electric cooking devices.
The second item was a request that the council award the Dock Company’s bid for in-water work at Lakeside Park this coming fall. The Council unanimously approved the motion to award the $224,257.80 bid.
Administrative reports:
Business License Threshold. City Clerk Peri Gallucci reported that the State has mandated that all cities update their business license threshold model with a one=time increase for non-resident business licenses from $2,000 to $4,000 effective January 1, 2026. The ordinance will be brought forward to the next Council meeting
Lake Chelan Sailing Association Marina area use agreement. Paul Horne proposed continuing the City’s agreement with the Lake Chelan Sailing Association. “They have been providing 1,000s of hours of sailing instruction over the years,” said Horne.
Lake Chelan Airport Update. In the ongoing negotiations with the Port of Chelan/Douglas County Port Authority, City Administrator Wade Farris reported that the two agencies were “way farther ahead than we were a couple of weeks ago.” Mayor McCardle added that the last meeting was very productive.
All Things Lake Chelan 