Secaucus Installing License-Plate Recognition Cameras Throughout Town

SECAUCUS, NJ — This past Monday, Jan. 29, the Secaucus Police Department announced the town will be installing license plate recognition cameras, known as LPRs, at all entrances/exits in Secaucus.

Secaucus Police are doing this to detect stolen cars entering or leaving town, said Police Chief Dennis Miller. The cameras will be monitored solely by the Secaucus Police Department; police will be alerted if a camera picks up a license plate that has been reported stolen.

The cameras could also be used in Amber, Silver or other missing person alerts, or if police are looking for a suspect vehicle used in a crime.

How are license plate recognition cameras different than red-light cameras, which the state of New Jersey famously abandoned in 2014?

That year, New Jersey tried a pilot program where they installed cameras in traffic lights throughout the state, in order to catch people running red lights, speeding or other unsafe driving violations. However, many New Jersey residents complained, including some prominent lawmakers. The state decided red-light cameras were illegal because they violated people's right to privacy.

The LPRs used by Secaucus Police will only take screenshots of the cars and their license plate numbers, said Chief Miller. They cannot and will not be used to catch people in driving violations.

"The cameras' sole purpose and only capability is to record publicly viewable license plates and run them through a 'hotlist' database and alert the police," said the police chief. "It is well known that red light cameras are illegal in New Jersey and our cameras will not have the capability of judging a red light or U-turn violation."

"I can assure town residents the cameras will not be utilized to monitor their travels, rather they will be used to assist the police department in its fight to suppress the ongoing auto theft problem plaguing New Jersey communities," he said.

Miller did not specify the exact roads. He just said: "All points of ingress/egress in or out of town will be covered."

But that likely includes all the exits from Rt. 3, all the Turnpike off- and on-ramps, and along Paterson Plank Road and Secaucus Road as they enter Secaucus from Jersey City.

Mayor Mike Gonnelli backs the plan: “Despite the fact that our town has one of the lowest levels of crime in Hudson County, we are continually looking for ways to enhance public safety," he said. "We ensure the highest quality of training and tools are available to our police department so they can deter crime and enhance the safety of the town. I have no doubt the installation of cameras will benefit the police department as well as our residents and business community."

"Since we are only at the start of this process, the town cannot say at this time when the system will be online. However, we will work diligently on getting this done," added Gonnelli.

"While the installation of cameras with license-plate reader capability at every point of ingress and egress will not totally eliminate crime, these cameras will be used as a tool to assist the Secaucus Police Department in identifying vehicles wanted for their involvement in criminal activity,” said Chief Miller.

The cost to install the cameras is estimated to be about $500,000, which will be paid through funds in the current budget. News 12 reports the cameras may be installed as early as this summer.