Organized Retail Crime Is On the Rise — Here's How to Fight Back With ALPR
Organized retail crime (ORC) is a growing epidemic costing businesses billions each year. Partnering with law enforcement agencies and technology...
2 min read
As retail crime surges to unprecedented levels, Leonardo's cutting-edge plate recognition technologies offer a robust solution to safeguard businesses and enhance security.
The Alarming Surge in Retail Crime
Retail crime has been on a sharp rise in recent years, causing significant financial losses and operational disruptions for businesses. According to recent reports, organized retail crime groups have become more sophisticated, employing advanced tactics to evade traditional security measures. This surge not only affects the bottom line of retailers but also compromises the safety of employees and customers.
Factors such as economic downturns, increased unemployment, and the proliferation of online marketplaces for selling stolen goods have contributed to this troubling trend. Retailers are increasingly finding it difficult to combat these well-coordinated criminal activities using conventional security methods alone.
How License Plate Recognition (LPR) Technology Works
License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology is a powerful tool in the fight against retail crime. LPR systems employ high-resolution cameras to capture images of vehicle license plates. These images are then processed using optical character recognition (OCR) software to convert the visual information into text data. This data can be cross-referenced with databases to identify vehicles of interest, such as those associated with known criminals or stolen vehicles.
LPR technology can be deployed in various environments, including parking lots, entry and exit points, and along access roads. The ability to automatically and accurately capture and analyze license plate data in real-time provides retailers with an invaluable resource for deterring and investigating criminal activities.
Introducing Leonardo’s SignalTrace: A Game Changer in Retail Security
Leonardo’s SignalTrace technology represents a significant advancement in retail security. SignalTrace enhances traditional ALPR capabilities by detecting and correlating electronic devices nearby vehicles of interest. By capturing publicly broadcast frequency activity from smartphones, Bluetooth wearables, car infotainment systems, and other devices, SignalTrace creates a unique 'electronic fingerprint' that can be used for investigative purposes.
This innovative system links multiple devices that consistently move with a vehicle, correlating them to the vehicle’s license plate and time-stamped location data. Even if a suspect changes or removes a license plate, SignalTrace’s algorithms can still provide actionable intelligence by identifying the unique mix of devices they carry or use.
Real-World Applications: From Parking Lots to Shopping Centers
Leonardo's plate recognition cameras, such as the solar-powered ELSAG Street Sentry, and SignalTrace technologies can be effectively deployed in various retail environments. In parking lots, these systems can monitor vehicle movements, identify suspicious activities, and alert security personnel in real-time. This provides an added layer of security for both the retailer and its customers.
Inside shopping centers, the integration of LPR with device signal intelligence can help track the movements of individuals involved in organized retail crime. By identifying and correlating electronic devices carried by suspects, retailers can gain critical insights into criminal patterns and coordinate with law enforcement to apprehend offenders.
Why Retailers Should Invest in Advanced Security Technologies
Investing in advanced security technologies like Leonardo’s LPR and SignalTrace systems provides retailers with a robust solution to combat the rising threat of retail crime. Retailers who partner with local police departments can benefit from enhanced information sharing and coordinated response strategies, significantly improving the effectiveness of their security measures.
Moreover, these technologies offer a cost-effective way to increase coverage and enhance situational awareness without the need for extensive physical security infrastructure. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, retailers can not only protect their assets but also ensure a safer shopping environment for their customers and staff.
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