FREEPORT, TX

License Plate Recognition (LPR) by

Dan PenningtonChief of PoliceFreeport Police Department

What is LPR?

Types of LPR FixedMobilePortable

LPR Video

LPR Pros & ConsADVANTAGESForce multiplier Cost effective Proactive crime prevention toolDISADVANTAGESTechnological and installation challengesSignificant upfront purchase and installation costsPrivacy issues (Big Brother)

Big-Brother Last year the ACLU filed 600 open records requests in order to find out how the information was maintained.Can an officer enter a license plate to learn about the movements of a spouse, ex-spouse, etc.?Grapvine, TX has 47,000 residents but its PD has captured and stored over 2 million license plates.Reporters nationwide are filing open records requests for public officials cars and tracking their movement in order to pressure them for changes.

LPR ComparisonCostsRead speed (shutter speed) Performance and reliabilityLighting needs Front end/back end analyticsProduction timeField of viewSimilar projects

LPR vendorsVigilant Videohttp://vigilantsolutions.com/ ELSAGhttp://elsag.com/licenseplatereader.htm IpConfigurehttp://www.ipconfigure.com/products/lpr/index.html CitySynchttp://www.imagesensing.com/

THE PROJECT - 5 Bridges of Freeport

The Project Wireless mesh with triangulation design

LPR Components & CostsLPR camera = $1oKPTZ camera = $4KFixed camera = $2KElectrical, pole & eq. installation = $29KWireless transmission nodes = $13K DVR = $9KVMS = $12KServer = $26KPolice station installation = $42K

TOTAL COST = $629K used a federal grant to fund project

ResultsMultiple stolen vehicles recoveredSeveral auto thieves arrestedDrugs seized Cameras generated clues on other crimesVarious warrants cleared

Lessons LearnedPolicy developmentProactively work key stakeholdersConduct media outreachUnderstand the technology and policyEnsure groundwork is doneConsider hiring a consultantUse grants to partially offset acquisition costs

Conclusion Questions & Answers

Dan Pennington dpennington@freeport.tx.usChief of PoliceFreeport Police Department