LAPD scanning license plates

The LAPD and community groups are showcasing a new tool in tracking stolen cars. It's a device that automatically scans license plates, and The Times' Rong-Gong Lin II went to the San Fernando Valley and found signs the system works:

They each chipped in thousands of dollars from their city-funded budgets and bought three $20,000 high-tech devices that when mounted atop patrol cars scan thousands of license plates, instantly alerting officers to stolen cars.... The groups gathered with Los Angeles Police Department officials to celebrate their first achievements: 10 stolen cars recovered since January in the Foothill Division; three more found with the suspected thief driving. In North Hollywood, 30 stolen cars have been recovered since December, and 10 others were identified with the suspect behind the wheel. ....The equipment arrived as police were seeing a recent uptick in auto thefts. There have been 1,510 auto thefts in the Valley so far this year, about 9% more than last year.

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Comments

[Martina]

The LAPD and community groups are showcasing a new tool in tracking stolen cars.