Scanners Read License Plates In Hunt For Stolen Cars
Riverside, Calif.-area police departments are trying out a new license-plate-scanning technology that could make it hard for thieves to drive around in stolen vehicles. The systems employ roof-mounted cameras on police cruisers to take digital photos of the plates on passing cars.
A computer program obtains license plate numbers from the photos and checks them against databases of stolen cars and other “vehicles of interest,” such as those lined with Amber Alerts or felony warrants.
Several firms sell the technology, including Civica, which says its PlateScan system can read plates on cars going 110 miles per hour.
Rancho Cucamonga’s Police Department has a pair of cruisers equipped with license-plate-recognition systems. Meanwhile, Ontario, Calif., has grant money to purchase up to three of the systems, which cost around $20,000 a car.
Riverside Police Department has asked for grant money after trying out numerous models this year.
The Long Beach Police Department implemented four of the scanners in December, and has since found 234 stolen vehicles and arrested 48 individuals.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Press Enterprise (Riverside, CA) (06/30/06) P. A01; Burge, Sarah .