Slow Cooker Summer Corn Chowder

Name: Slow Cooker Summer Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 1 C yellow onion (chopped); 3/4 C red bell pepper (chopped); 1/4 C celery (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 4 C whole corn kernels (roughly 5-6 ears of fresh corn); 4 C russet potatoes (peeled and cubed); 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp white or black pepper; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional); 3 C chicken broth; 1 C heavy cream; 3 Tb all purpose flour (*see notes); 4-6 slices bacon (cooked and chopped); Chives or green onions for garnish