Police adopt license-plate readers at an accelerating pace

Without a doubt, more law enforcement agencies are acquiring automated license plate reader cameras and technology (ALPR). Study producer Transparency Market Research (TMR) expects the global ALPR market to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 9 percent during the forecast period, 2020 to 2030. Much of the growth is linked to a rise in usage by police departments to improve public safety, according to the report summary. These devices are sometimes referred to automatic number-plate recognition systems (ANPR).

“ALPRs are devices that capture the objective, vehicle details of a criminal incident,” says Holly Beilin, head of public relations at Flock Safety. “Some ALPR vendors also sell products specifically for parking and transit applications. Flock Safety’s devices are only intended for helping solve violent and property crime, not parking, traffic enforcement or any other uses.”

The company’s license plate reading cameras provide 24/7 monitoring for every home, business and neighborhood. They help protect against property crime, violent crime, stolen vehicles and more. The firm has built out a public safety operating system that helps neighborhoods, businesses and law enforcement in 1,500+ cities work together to eliminate crime, protect privacy and mitigate bias. The company’s technology helps capture objective evidence. It uses that evidence along with machine learning to create and deliver unbiased investigative leads to law enforcement.

Research shows that technology can help fight crime, Beilin explains. “The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) estimates seven in 10 crimes happen with a vehicle. At Flock Safety, we build technology that automatically gives law enforcement the vehicle evidence they need to investigate and clear cases faster, while mitigating human biases.”

She adds that national statistics offer solid proof. “Currently, over 2,000 communities use Flock Safety ALPR technology. Each day, our systems help solve over 600-700 crimes—an estimated 3 percent of reported crime in this country. And these encompass every type of crime, from homicide to assault to burglary and vehicle theft.”

It’s a team effort that includes resource-sharing, Beilin tells Co-op Solutions. “Many of our private customers share camera access directly with local law enforcement, creating a collaborative public safety infrastructure.” These private customers can include neighborhood groups, homeowners’ associations and local businesses.

The systems offer thorough coverage within a community. Flock Safety’s Falcon automatic license plate reader captures 97 percent of vehicle traffic and automatically detects vehicle characteristics (license plate, vehicle make, color and vehicle classification).

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