Kenner’s crime-fighting camera system proving effective, could expand

KENNER, La. (WVUE) - A crime-fighting camera system in Kenner is enhancing proactive policing and helping officers make arrests.

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley credits the cameras for helping officers arrest two juveniles after a police chase early Tuesday morning. The chase started just after 2 a.m. when one of the Kenner Police Department’s Flock cameras flagged a reportedly stolen Kia Soul entering city limits.

The car, reported stolen on July 28, was spotted near Williams Boulevard and Airline Highway before speeding off toward Jefferson Parish.

The chase concluded when the Kia crashed into another car and landed in a canal near Archbishop Rummel High School.

Officers arrested a 14-year-old passenger and pursued the 15-year-old driver, who was caught by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office K9 unit.

The driver faces multiple charges, including illegal possession of stolen things and aggravated flight from an officer. The passenger was charged with illegal possession of stolen things.

More: Two juveniles arrested after crashing stolen car in canal, Kenner police say

After a December 2022 city council vote, Kenner installed over 50 Flock cameras at major roadways, increasing to 72 cameras citywide. These cameras monitor vehicles, capturing images and license plates to alert officers if any cars are flagged for criminal activity.

“It will flag any vehicle that has a distinctive feature and you can go back and find it through its history,” Conley said.

The technology’s effectiveness was demonstrated on July 28, when the Flock system helped arrest Emmanuel Rubio-Gonzalez from Marrero and Arielle Jarreau from New Orleans. A Flock camera alerted police to a vehicle tied to a string of crimes in Clinton, Mississippi.

“There were two subjects in [the car] wanted for home invasion, armed robbery, and a whole slew of heinous activity out of Mississippi and it was entered into the system by officers in Mississippi and we got them at the Walgreens here in Kenner,” Conley said.

Conley aims to expand the camera network for improved proactive policing, a move supported by the city council.

“Anything that we can do, specifically me and the rest of the council, to improve and give them better options and technology is what we are for 100%,” Council At-Large Kristi K. McKinney said.

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