License Plate Readers Alert Officers of Red Flags While on the Road

Marlboro Township Police Cars are equipped to scan license plates on the road, and alert an officer of red flags, all in a matter of seconds.

The license plate reader technology runs a picture of license plates in front of the patrolman through national and state databases, cross-checks with Department of Motor Vehicle records, and checks for active warrants, before you can snap your fingers. If the one of those databases raises a red flag, the officer is alerted through the system and able to make a traffic stop.

Information about the driver only reaches an officer’s screen if there is a problem, and does not constantly flash information about every driver on the road. And, the information is based on the registered owner of the car, not necessarily the driver.

Police Capt. Steve Menonna said the registered car owner and the driver at the time of the scan could be two different people, but the system allows officers to make the traffic stop and determine that on a case-by-case basis.

The department uses Attorney General guidelines, which dictates ways to use the equipment without breaking laws regarding personal privacy or other personal rights.

“That is what we use to do what we are supposed to do without infringing on people’s rights,” Mennona said.

The system can also be used to input data. If the department arrests someone, and has reasonable suspicion that once released, they may commit another crime, a plate number for the arrested can be entered in the system. When that plate number is in the vicinity of the license plate reader, the patrolman will be alerted and be able to pinpoint an exact location.

“If we have suspicion of criminal activity, we use it as an investigative tool to further monitor,” Mennona said.

But Attorney General guidelines are strict, forcing departments with the readers to be policy driven, and Mennona said, “It is definitely not arbitrary.”

Other towns in the state are investing in the technology. Colts Neck Township Police Department recently trained officers for the equipment.

Currently, Marlboro Township has one patrol car equipped with a license plate reader.