California Police Chief- Fall 2013 CPCA_2019_Spring Magazine- FINAL | Page 31
For the past 15 years, RPD has utilized a city-wide
camera surveillance system comprised of high-priced
pan-tilt-zoom cameras that can be monitored in real
time. Although several crimes have been solved with
the aid of the cameras, including a homicide, more than
not, investigators are left with an image of a vehicle
either entering or leaving the crime scene. Detectives
often captured and distributed images of suspects’
vehicles, but usually there was not a clear way to easily
identify the suspect’s vehicle, leaving authorities with
just an image of the car. RPD researched existing ALPR
technology, but the cost proved to be more than most
mid-size cities could afford.
Research put RPD staff in contact with representatives
of Flock Safety (www.flocksafety.com), a start-up company
that specializes in manufacturing affordable, easily mobile,
and solar powered ALPR cameras. RPD tested their
camera camera and determined its specifications provided
exactly what was needed to deploy in hot spot areas prone
to criminal activity. Since the cameras are web based,
investigators have the ability to access the data from any
computer connected to the Internet. If needed, they can
share access with other law enforcement agencies. As
an added benefit, the camera’s cellular capabilities allow
for deployment in areas in which traditional surveillance
cameras cannot be installed.
Utilizing advancements in ALPR technology, RPD
had a vision of bolstering its community policing efforts
by funding cameras that could be deployed around the
community as the need arises. Recently, staff at RPD held
a community meeting that was live streamed via Facebook
in which officers explained how the police department
intended to utilize the cameras to enhance its community
policing programs. As community policing officers and
crime analysts identify crime trends, they will have staff
who are specifically trained in the camera installation
deploy the cameras at ingress and egress points in certain
areas that are likely to be victimized. For example, housing
tracts are typically designed to provide limited access
points so if houses within the tract are being burglarized,
investigators can have a camera installed at the entrances
and exits. These cameras will capture the license plates of
cars entering and exiting the area and have the ability to
differentiate the license plates belonging to residents from
those that do not live in the area. Analysts can quickly
distinguish between the cars that belong in the area and
those that do not. If needed, the camera’s small size could
enable departments to covertly install the cameras.
Upon learning of this strategy, various residential areas
and business complexes decided to fund cameras for the
Redlands Police Department to deploy in their area. The
intent is to enable RPD to capture the license plate data
utilizing an array of cameras partially funded by the police
department and partially funded by private entities. Since
the camera captures movement based on infrared trigger,
the camera will capture not only vehicles with license
plates but also those with paper plates or missing plates,
motorcycles, bicycles, and even pedestrians, enabling these
cameras to capture movement in locations other than
streets This allows for use on trails, bike paths, and other
remote locations.
Creative law enforcement minds are known to adapt
existing technology to address their needs. Within the
first month of acquiring the ALPR cameras, Redlands
experienced a fatal hit and run traffic collision of a
beloved school crossing guard. Armed with a vehicle
description obtained from a business’ surveillance
camera, investigators have deployed ALPR cameras at
strategic locations in hopes of capturing an image of the
vehicle along with its license plate. With the past ALPR
technology, Departments would have had to make a very
large investment in order to adopt this strategy. The
willingness to embrace innovative technology has enabled
the Redlands Police Department to solve 60 out of the last
61 homicides, resulting in a 98.4% clearance rate since 1996.
As community stakeholders continue to expect and
demand that their local law enforcement agencies solve all
crime problems in their respective communities, effective
police departments will continue to utilize technology
to provide force multipliers. This ALPR strategy will
enable authorities to deploy cameras in neighborhoods
and business complexes in order to provide investigators
with a credible lead to identify culprits. With unlimited
data storage, departments will not have to worry about
incurring costly data storage fees. With this affordable
ALPR technology, law enforcement agencies now have
another effective tool in their tool box to both enhance
community policing and solve crime.
Travis Martinez has over 24 years of law enforcement experience and is currently the Assistant Chief of the Redlands Police
Department. He can be reached at [email protected]. ■
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