LIVERMORE, Calif., Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Vigilant Solutions announces today that the Hillsboro Police Department in Oregon used a Vigilant Solutions License Plate Reader (LPR) system to locate and apprehend a fugitive with multiple warrants.
Lieutenant Michael Rouches comments, "Hillsboro police officers were patrolling the Fred Meyer parking lot utilizing the License Plate Reader (LPR) system to check license plates as they drove through the parking lot. The system works by reading the characters on license plates to see if they match license plates in law enforcement databases. It is important to note that the system does not collect, or even have the ability to access, any personal information such as the name of the owner – it works anonymously and tells us if the numbers and letters that it sees on the plate match the numbers and letters in a database. In addition to the federal law that protects driver's privacy, we also have a strong policy that defines the permissible uses of the system as well as training requirements."
"The LPR system alerted officers to stolen license plates on a 2014 stolen Kia Sorrento SUV. The plates were stolen from Portland Oregon and the vehicle was reported stolen out of King County Washington. It is not uncommon for individuals to change the license plates on vehicles that they steal in efforts to avoid detection – and, stolen vehicles are often precursors to other more serious crimes. Without the LPR system, it would have been very unlikely for an officer to identify that this vehicle were stolen if the vehicle were driving lawfully or simply parked in a parking lot."
"Officers waited for the driver of the vehicle who returned a short time later. Officers contacted the vehicle driver and he was confirmed to be a wanted fugitive out of Washington State with warrants for Robbery, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a stolen vehicle and Contempt of Court. The fugitive was placed under arrest on these warrants and the stolen vehicle charge from this case, which remains pending."
Scott Dye, retired Police Lieutenant and Regional Manager for Vigilant, comments, "It is great to see Hillsboro having success with their system. LPR truly is a game changer for law enforcement, helping them identify vehicles that they normally would've driven right by, improving officer safety by letting them know of potentially dangerous situations before they occur, and helping develop investigative leads through the use of the collected, anonymous, data."
About Vigilant Solutions:
Based in Livermore, California, Vigilant Solutions is an industry-leading pioneer of innovative intelligence solutions that help law enforcement protect officers, families and communities. For additional information, visit www.vigilantsolutions.com.
