License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology has revolutionized law enforcement’s ability to solve crimes and reunite families, addressing issues ranging from locating missing seniors to combating human trafficking and resolving violent crimes.

Law Enforcement Supports LPRs BECAUSE LPRs Help them Solve More Crimes

“As an investigator with the Salt Lake County Metro Gang Unit, License Plate Readers (LPR) are an essential tool used by our unit as well as many law enforcement communities throughout the State of Utah. With access to these tools, investigators can utilize the program to help assist with their investigations, ranging from homicides, kidnappings to recovering stolen vehicles.

Without these tools, law enforcement will lose precious time and information that could be used to assist in their investigations.”

– Detective Johnny Ngo, Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Department

“Simply put, LPR’s save lives. They give us the tools to solve crimes, find missing persons and most importantly to protect our communities. Time and time again we see that this technology makes it easier for us to keep our communities safe.”

– Master Police Officer Brian Luciano, Virginia Beach Police Department, (ret.)

“License Plate Readers are one of the most impactful tools we have for investigating and solving crimes. Victims and their families deserve answers and justice when a crime is committed against them. License Plate Readers and other advanced technologies are changing the game in enabling us to hold more criminals accountable.”

– Investigator Derek White, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigators

Alabama: A young woman who was trafficked to Alabama against her will was saved after officers at the Hartselle Police Department received an alert that a stolen vehicle had been detected nearby by an LPR camera. Officers located the vehicle, initiated a traffic stop and arrested the suspect and took the victim to the hospital.

New York: On May 1, 2023, a shooting was reported at a local pawn shop where three suspects had attempted to rob the store before a gunfight broke out. Cheektowaga Police responded to the scene, interviewing witnesses who were able to describe the suspect vehicle. After a query of their LPRs, officers were able to identify the vehicle in nearby Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania: State Police apprehended two suspects linked to a fatal shooting in Luzerne County. LPR cameras, which captured crucial evidence, including the license plate of the suspect’s vehicle, were vital in identifying and locating the individuals involved in the crime.

Virginia: On March 7, 2023 officers responded to a report that an elderly woman had left her residence and was missing. Nearby witnesses confirmed that an individual matching her description had been spotted at a bus station. Officers used their LPRs to determine which bus she got on, and after contacting the driver officers located and reunited her with her family. Just a week later, on March 16, 2023 officers from Fair Oaks PD and Major Crimes Bureau helped locate a missing elderly woman by entering the license plate into their LPRs. A few hours later officers received an alert that her vehicle had been detected. Officers initiated a traffic stop and reunited the senior with her family.

How License Plate

Recognition (LPR)

Cameras Work

  • License plate reader cameras utilize advanced optical character recognition technology to automatically capture and interpret vehicle license plates.
  • Once a vehicle passes by the camera, the LPR system captures only license plate information and the vehicle’s make, model, color. Cameras do not capture information on the driver.
  • LPR systems can be integrated with law enforcement databases to provide immediate notifications if a scanned license plate matches entries related to stolen vehicles, wanted individuals, or other law enforcement interests.

Facts about LPRs

REDUCING CRIME:

As concerns about crime continue to rise across America, it is essential to leverage advanced technologies that can significantly enhance crime-solving capabilities. LPR technology stands out as a powerful tool in this regard, offering the potential to make our communities safer by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.

SUPPORTING LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Our dedicated law enforcement officers, who put their lives on the line daily to protect our communities, deserve access to cutting-edge tools that aid them in their mission. LPRs represent a sensible and modern upgrade for policing strategies, enabling officers to close critical gaps in investigations and solve more crimes efficiently. By equipping officers with LPR technology, we empower them to perform their duties more effectively.

PREVENTING CRIME:

The adoption of LPR technology ensures that when crime impacts families, communities, and businesses, law enforcement has the necessary tools to respond swiftly and decisively. Each year, LPRs assist in solving thousands of cases by providing crucial data that accelerates investigations and helps bring perpetrators to justice promptly.

PRIVACY CONSIDERATIONS:

While LPRs are instrumental in enhancing public safety, they are designed with privacy considerations at the forefront. These systems are highly targeted tools used exclusively during investigations of serious crimes; they do not track everyday movements of citizens or collect personal identifying information. Unlike video cameras, LPRs capture only license plate images without associating them with individual identities.

PURPOSE-DRIVEN TECHNOLOGY:

The primary aim of LPR technology is community protection rather than indiscriminate surveillance. It focuses on addressing serious criminal activities rather than issuing tickets or monitoring minor infractions. By filling critical gaps in law enforcement’s toolkit, LPRs contribute significantly to solving serious crimes swiftly—often within hours—thereby enhancing overall community safety.

RESPONSIBLE USE AND OVERSIGHT:

Recognizing the importance of balancing public safety with individual privacy rights, robust oversight mechanisms are implemented alongside LPR deployment. These measures ensure responsible use of the technology while maintaining transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.

By embracing LPR technology responsibly and ethically, we can bolster public safety efforts while respecting citizens’ privacy rights—a commitment aligned with our shared goal of creating safer communities for all.

Regulations Threaten
License Plate Readers

In numerous states, regulations have not evolved alongside technological advancements, resulting in ambiguous or absent permitting processes for LPR cameras. For example, certain states restrict the use of LPRs on state roads, leading to substantial gaps in law enforcement’s camera network and potentially hindering their capacity to track suspects and locate missing persons.

Some judges have blocked LPRs because of uncertain rules – taking away this valuable tool.

TAKE ACTION!

To help generate support for LPR use in your state,

take this survey and reach out to Ryan Flood.