Police Use New Crime Fighting Tool

We’ve been hearing about license plate readers for years, but now the technology has taken more than a foothold in the crime fighting world.

California law enforcement officials in the Inland Empire region have deployed an automatic license plate recognition system to help track down fugitives, sex offenders and vehicles associated with Amber Alerts.

This is great news for the security industry, as well as law enforcement.

It gives police near instant access to records of that particular license plate, leading them generally to law breaker, fugitive or suspected criminals. Critics say the device is being used by some to track innocent motorists as well as suspected criminals.

And that opinion is true. What you end up with is a mass surveillance project of the entire population. I don’t like that part of the equation, but it does what it’s supposed to do  -- catch car thieves and vehicles connected with other crimes. Unfortunately, technology that helps keep criminals at bay also costs some personal liberties.

Personal liberties are the very foundation of this country, and we can sing the tune that this is a very low-level intrusion, and all will be well. Surveillance is meant for protection of the innocent and a check against evil-doers.

Fontana, Calif., police have scanned 56,000 plates and recovered a handful of stolen cars in October. What they don’t have is the time and manpower to analyze all the data they have captured. San Bernardino, Calif., police have recovered 59 stolen cars using the license plate reader; 15 people were arrested.

The bottom line is pretty simple. Police use the tool to help them do their jobs better. It helps law enforcement catch people who shouldn’t be on the road in the first place. We all use greater technology to do our jobs better. The same should be said for law enforcement personnel who simply want to do their job at top capacity.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.