LPR Technology | MPH-900 | License Plate Reader

A new gadget coveted by the Columbia Police Department and Boone County Sheriff’s Department could change how crime is fought locally.

Both departments recently concluded a 30-day trial of a device that allows patrolling officers to scan thousands of license plates effortlessly each day. The Mobile Plate Hunter-900, developed by ELSAG North America Law Enforcement Systems of Brewster, N.Y., was a hit with both departments, especially Columbia police.

Street Crimes Unit and narcotics supervisor Sgt. Brian Richenberger said he believes the new technology could change how street crime is fought in Columbia. The device not only detects stolen license plates, vehicles and the license plates of those with outstanding warrants, it also creates a database of when and where each license plate is scanned.

“During the time I’ve been a cop here for 11 years, this is the best technological thing to come across that helps us do our jobs,” he said.

By creating a database, police can enter a license plate number into the system and can learn which areas that vehicle frequents. If the driver of that vehicle needs to be picked up, police would have an idea of where to begin their search.

During 30 days of use by Columbia police, the scanner assisted in several arrests and the recovery of a stolen vehicle. Richenberger said the device was mounted to only one patrol car, scanning up to 5,000 plates per day.

It can scan plates at interstate speeds, he added, making it a versatile tool. The scanner only focuses on the license plate and does not have the capability to view the driver or passengers, he said, preserving some privacy.

“An alarm will go off when the scanner finds something in the database,” Richenberger said. “The officer must then look to confirm the scanner performed an accurate read. Just because the scanner goes off doesn’t mean someone is getting arrested.”

Richenberger said what often happens is one arrest turns into four or five. When the scanner identifies a plate, that vehicle might have several people in it with outstanding warrants or even narcotics.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department also experienced some success with the device. Capt. Chad Martin said his patrol fleet made six arrests and recovered five stolen licenses plates during its 30-day trial in June.

Sheriff’s deputies will apply for grants together with Columbia police to purchase the devices later this year. Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, technology grants will be available in the upcoming months and will be a necessity for purchasing the scanners during this year’s budget crunch, Martin said.

“From a vehicle license plate aspect, I would say it is one of the better tools that have come along,” Martin said.

Plate scanners could catch more crooks