The streets of Berkeley are getting a high-tech surveillance boost as the Berkeley Police Department begins the full-scale use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) in an effort to boost public safety. According to a recent social media post from the Berkeley Police Department, as of October 1, select cameras have been aiding in identifying suspects, recovering stolen property, and providing a much-needed lifeline to otherwise cold cases.
Despite privacy concerns, the department insists that the ALPR system's advantages are nothing to scoff at. During its trial run, the technology helped pin down a repeat burglary suspect and clawed back several stolen items, not to mention a dozen arrests and nine stolen vehicles retrieved. This is happening before the system's omnipresence in the city, and initial deployment gives a mere glimpse of what full implementation could mean for law enforcement.
The entire department has access to ALPR data, promising an added layer of security for the community. "We remain aware that this valuable public safety tool must be utilized with careful and thoughtful deployment that honors both privacy and community standards," the Berkeley Police Department shared.
