Automated License Plate Readers, Safety on the GR.I.D.

Safety concerns are an ongoing topic for the Green Island District (GR.I.D.) Business Group.  One solution discussed in the October 2021 meeting, was to acquire and implement automated license plate readers (ALPRs) to help with prevention and recovering loss after an incident.

What is an ALPR?

Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) have long helped law enforcement in solving crimes and recovering stolen vehicles.  ALPRs capture images of license plates, allowing law enforcement agencies to compare plate numbers against those of stolen cars or cars driven by people suspected of being involved in criminal activities.  

ALPRs are an effective tool for law enforcement, cutting down on the time required for investigations and acting as a force multiplier for agencies with limited budgets.  A study by the Police Executive Research Forum concluded that ALPRs used by the Mesa, Arizona Police Department resulted in “nearly 3 times as many ‘hits’ for stolen vehicles, and twice as many vehicle recoveries.”  ALPRs can reduce crime by over 70 percent!

What is an ALPR not?

An ALPR does not have the ability to include facial recognition or footage of pedestrians.  It does not record personal data of any kind and does not engage in predictive policing.  Be rest assured, your personal privacy will not be encroached upon.

So why here? Why now?  

It is imperative that safety concerns are addressed for both our residential and business community alike. Whatever can be done to deter crime and keep our community safe is worth it.

Next meeting for GRID is anticipated to be in early November to discuss the set up of equipment.

If you are an American Canyon business “on the GRID” and are interested in participating, please reach out to Valerie Zizak-Morais, President and CEO of the American Canyon Chamber, at Valerie@AmCanChamber.org to learn more.