License plate recognition is one of the many multipronged dragnet strategies implemented in Coral Gables in the past few years to combat crime.
Coral Gables is getting so good at using this technique, that it is the top agency with the most plate reading detections among all 27 South Florida agencies using the same platform.
How is this meaningful? For starters, criminals in stolen vehicles, expired tags, suspended licenses, or with active warrants can expect their comings and goings being dealt with in real time through the city’s new Crime Intelligence Center.
Information Technology Crime Data Analyst Chris Cowen anticipates that by the end of this year, the city will capture close to 30 million license tag readings, all with the mission of keeping the bad guys away from the City Beautiful.
License Plate Recognition technology and the creation of the Crime Intelligence Center are two of the elements in a Strategic Plan designed by Frank Fernandez, assistant city manager/public safety director, to create a proactive approach to crime detection and prevention.
