County police are expanding a system that allows officers to spot license plates involved in criminal activity even when cars are moving at 100 mph.

The county recently bought four automated readers — officers already had seven — that scan license plates. The system uses a pair of cameras mounted on the trunk of a police car and can even scan tags when the police cruiser is moving at 60 mph.

Police Chief Jim Johnson called the system a “force multiplier” and said it will allow the department to focus officers’ time on more serious crimes.

“Auto-tag readers are the tool that will help us find the needle in the haystack,” Johnson said, “the one car among thousands that’s wanted for violent crime or theft in our county.”



Nationwide Insurance donated the first reader, in 2006, for use as part of a pilot program in the county. Soon after, the county spent $18,000 on six more units.

Since the program’s inception, investigators credit the units with the arrest of more than 400 “car thieves, armed robbers, delinquent parents and drug dealers,” County Executive Jim Smith said.

The recent purchases allow police to carry out countywide coverage, Smith said.

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user comments (1)

user stevetowson says...

That's great.... as long as the DMV can keep it's house in order!!! Years ago I was stopped, and hauled in for driving on a suspended license THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN FLAGGED AS SUSPENDED. I went to court and the judge had a field day with the prosecutor for not doing an investgation before he showed up. Last week a friend was stoppedm and ticketed because her tags were flagged as uninsured, Her insurance is paid, and up to date, and now she has to take a day off work(single mom having a tough enough time already) to prove it in court.

Posted 9:54 AM, 12.19.08

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