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

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.