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Organization: Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
Date: September 16, 2008
SCV Sheriffs Maintain the Technological Edge
SCV Sheriffs: Maintaining the Technological Edge — You may have noticed recently that Santa Clarita Valley Deputy Sheriffs have new equipment atop some of their patrol cars to further enhance efforts to protect our community. For many years the City of Santa Clarita, County of Los Angeles, and Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station have been recognized for their proactive approach to law enforcement and aggressive efforts to keep pace with the ever changing and expanding technological frontier.
Working together, we have always maintained an open and willing approach toward testing, providing, and deploying the most advance and cutting edge technological equipment and law enforcement crime prevention systems available in an effort to provide the best possible protection to our community.
The recent addition of patrol cars equipped with Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology is yet another step in that direction. That's right, specialized patrol cars equipped with advanced technological devices rolling around our community 24 hours a day aiding our patrol deputies in protecting our residents, homes, businesses, and property.
Initially launched and deployed in December 2007 after the City of Santa Clarita committed to the purchase of two of these specially equipped vehicles during the 2007 fiscal year budget, the systems are now in full swing and have resulted in an increased level of safety and more efficient utilization of patrol resources from your Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. Since the initial launch and commitment of the City of Santa Clarita in 2007, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station has utilized other funding sources in recent months to acquired additional ALPR equipped vehicles which are now being used throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. In fact, we currently have six such vehicles deployed at any given time and are hoping to expand the program in coming months and years.
"We are excited about the success of this new technology now being used by our Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station to help protect our community," said Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar. "As we have always done, we will continue to look at and evaluate new technology and systems that will assist our deputies and first responders in keeping the City of Santa Clarita a safe place to live, work, and play," he added.
The Automated License Plate Reader technology consists of a number of cameras mounted to the patrol vehicle that have the capability of automatically reading and checking vehicle license plate numbers in vicinity of the patrol car. Not only do these cameras add an extra deterrent to those who are considering coming into the area to commit unlawful activities, but they also automatically identify and check license plates of nearby vehicles parked on the roadways, driving in the opposite direction of the patrol car, driving or parked near our schools, in our business districts, and in our many parking lots. In fact, this new equipment can automatically run a check on more than 1,000 license plates in an hour's time as the deputy drives around town, answering calls for service and conducting other duties. That's nearly 8,000 license plates during an 8-hour shift, when the average deputy can only check 30 to 50 license plates during the same time frame when manually inputting the numbers. Checks are even run on license plates of passing and nearby vehicles while the deputy is parked. The system automatically alerts the deputy to any vehicle that has been entered into the system as wanted or stolen by any law enforcement agency from any jurisdiction.
It can also be used in various ways in conjunction with other law enforcement systems; aiding in such things as identifying vehicles belonging to registered sex offenders near our schools, identifying vehicles belonging to registered arsonists, and even AMBER Alert vehicle detection.
Since the new patrol vehicles were put into service last December in the City of Santa Clarita, they have automatically processed nearly half-a-million license plate numbers throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. As a result of this new technology, more than 25 stolen vehicles have been recovered. The system has also directly contributed to the investigative efforts and solving of substantial criminal cases in the Santa Clarita Valley. Four of those cases are outlined as follows:
On Tuesday, January 8, 2008, a gang-related drive-by shooting occurred on Deeptree Avenue near Lone Rock Street, Canyon Country. Through additional investigation and follow-up, detectives were able to identify a potential suspect vehicle and license plate number. Utilizing the ALPR system, detectives were able to obtain additional identifying information about the vehicle. The information obtained led to the service of several search warrants throughout the Santa Clarita Valley and other areas of Southern California, ultimately resulting in the arrest of the drive-by shooting suspects and the recovery of evidence directly related to the crime. (-ref 00423)
On Monday, May 19, 2008, a Victorville man was driving recklessly in the area of Lyons Avenue and Wiley Canyon Road, Newhall. It was later determined that the man was reportedly fleeing from California Highway Patrol Officers just prior to being spotted by Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff patrol deputies. The deputies were unable to get license plate number of the suspect's vehicle because of the distance, and the suspect's reckless aggressive driving, but the ALPR System was able to process the plate. Deputies reviewed the license plate, conducted a follow-up investigation and later arrested the man for evading a peace officer and reckless driving. (-ref 08828)
On Sunday, June 22, 2008, an assault and hate crime incident occurred near Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway. One of the witnesses managed to get a license plate number, but it turned out to be the wrong number and did not return to a vehicle. Through the use of the ALPR System, deputies were able to check the different license plate number combinations and ultimately identify the vehicle and its owner. The suspect was later arrested. (-ref 10985)
On Wednesday, September 10, 2008, deputies patrolling in an ALPR equipped patrol car in the area of Delight Street, Canyon Country received an automated license plate alert indicating a stolen vehicle. Deputies located the car and detained a man who attempted to walk away from it when he saw the deputies. During the traffic stop and investigation, deputies spotted another vehicle driving by that was associated with the vehicle theft. Additional responding deputies stopped that car, but not before one of the occupants got out and walked away from the vehicle, attempting to conceal a backpack he was carrying in the bushes near Tambora Drive and Delight Street. Inside the backpack deputies recovered check books and financial documents belonging to another person that had been stolen in a residential burglary in the Santa Clarita Valley. They also found a mobile GPS system and wire cutters. When the field investigation had concluded, the deputies had searched two vehicles and a house, arrested four suspects, and recovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, forged checks, marijuana plants, burglary tools, and the stolen vehicle. They also recovered several items they believe to be stolen in residential and vehicle burglaries in Santa Clarita including two purses, several cell phones, three X-Box video games, a Sony Playstation gaming system, music CDs, and a car stereo. (-ref 16197)
"It is this type of technology that helps us maintain an edge in apprehending those who are intent on victimizing the hard working people of our community," said Captain La Berge of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. "We are so grateful that the City of Santa Clarita recognizes the importance of pursuing this type of new technology to help us put these criminals behind bars and keep our neighborhoods safe! These Automated License Plate Readers help improve our efficiency, and productivity, aiding us in our very proactive approach to law enforcement and thorough complete investigations," he concluded.
If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.
SCV Sheriffs: Maintaining the Technological Edge — You may have noticed recently that Santa Clarita Valley Deputy Sheriffs have new equipment atop some of their patrol cars to further enhance efforts to protect our community. For many years the City of Santa Clarita, County of Los Angeles, and Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station have been recognized for their proactive approach to law enforcement and aggressive efforts to keep pace with the ever changing and expanding technological frontier.
