License Plate Recognition
License plate recognition (LPR), also known as automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), is a technology that uses optical character recognition (OCR) to automatically read and interpret license plate numbers on vehicles. It typically involves a camera system mounted on buildings, or poles, which captures images of license plates as vehicles pass by.
The captured images are then processed by specialized software that extracts the alphanumeric characters from the license plates. This data can be used for various purposes, including Law Enforcement, Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts and Collecting Data.
Law Enforcement
LPR systems are often used by law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles involved in crimes, such as stolen cars, unregistered vehicles, or vehicles associated with suspects of interest. The system can quickly scan and compare license plate numbers against databases of wanted vehicles or vehicles of interest. Rather than catching criminals who have already committed crimes, law enforcement would much rather prevent those crimes from occurring in the first place. When cameras are a constant presence in high-risk areas, people will be less-likely to commit crimes as they know it will be harder to get away from police. It is difficult – if not impossible – to hide from something like a license plate recognition system out on the road, meaning criminals will have fewer options when trying to get away.
Amber Alerts
AMBER Alerts are activated in the most serious child-abduction cases. The term “AMBER” stands for “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response.” These alerts are broadcast through radio, TV, road signs, cellphones, and other data-enabled devices. LPR assists in tracking down vehicles so law enforcement can act swiftly in identifying the direction of the vehicle and vehicle specifics. With LPR, law enforcement and community effort combined, loved ones can be returned home faster as time is crucial.
Silver Alerts
A Silver Alert is an emergency notification system similar to Amber Alerts but specifically aimed at locating missing senior citizens, particularly those with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The purpose of Silver Alerts is to mobilize the public and law enforcement resources to quickly locate and return missing seniors to safety. LPR also assists in tracking and locating for Silver Alerts.
Collecting Data
LPR systems can gather a variety of information about vehicle movements and patterns. LPR technology can be utilized for data collection with traffic flow analysis, parking management, toll collection, transportation planning and retail theft. Many neighborhood communities also utilize LPR technology for unwanted vehicles and to help authorize entry.
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