Real Time Crime Centers

How do ELSAG License Plate Readers contribute to RTCCs?

Real-time crime centers are centralized hubs where law enforcement agencies collect, analyze, and disseminate real-time data to prevent and respond to crimes effectively. License plate readers play a vital role in these centers by providing valuable intelligence.

In recent years, the proliferation of technology has played a pivotal role in improving law enforcement agencies' ability to prevent and solve crimes. One such advancement is the use of license plate readers (LPRs). These powerful devices have significantly contributed to the success of real-time crime centers (RTCCs) by providing crucial data and insights and Leonardo is honored to part of this critical public safety solution.

ELSAG license plate readers are high-speed camera systems equipped with optical character recognition (OCR) technology. Installed on patrol cars, highway overpasses, toll booths, and other strategic locations, our LPRs capture images of license plates and automatically convert them into machine-readable data. This data includes the license plate number, date, time, and location,  providing valuable information to law enforcement agencies.

Leveraging the data collected by ELSAG license plate readers, and from other vendors nationwide, RTCCs can identify patterns and trends related to criminal activities. By analyzing vehicle movement and tracking hotspots, law enforcement agencies can allocate resources effectively and deploy officers strategically to target areas with higher crime rates. This proactive approach helps deter criminals and decreases response times, leading to safer communities.

As technology continues to advance, license plate readers are likely to play an even more critical role in the continued success of real-time crime centers.

Do RTCCs infringe on citizen's right to privacy?

While there is no denying the significant benefits of license plate readers, concerns about privacy have been raised. Law enforcement agencies must strike the right balance between effective crime prevention and respecting individuals' privacy rights. Safeguards such as data retention limits, strict access controls, and appropriate storage and handling protocols should be in place to ensure the ethical and responsible use of license plate reader data.

At Leonardo, our commitment to safeguarding LPR data has garnered the confidence of close to 5,000 law enforcement agencies across the globe. We take pride in our steadfast adherence to the unique data policies of each jurisdiction, ensuring that all LPR information remains secure and compliant.