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

  • 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

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

  • Why the Future of Video Security Is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reasons. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • 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.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.