Benicia Police Now Have Automated License Plate Readers

BENICIA, CA — Bad guys beware: the Benicia Police Department announced this week that two of its police vehicles are now equipped with automated license plate readers, which are devices that use cameras to automatically read license plate characters.

The two police cars each have a mobile ALPR device, which uses multiple cameras mounted on a vehicle, Benicia police said in a statement posted to social media.

As the vehicle moves, it captures license numbers and transmits plate data to a database, which can run a check for stolen vehicles, Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts, missing persons and wanted people, according to Benicia PD.

The equipment was purchased through two grants managed by the Solano County Office of Emergency Services, Benicia police officials said.

"The data utilized is only shared for legitimate law enforcement reasons to agencies with a right and reason to know and is highly protected," Benicia police said.

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