What's an ALPR?

ALPR stands for Automated License Plate Recognition, or more commonly called, License Plate Readers. In August of 2010, the Columbia Police Department outfitted two marked patrol vehicles with the equipment. Specially trained officers use the equipment.

Read more about the equipment here. The department uses the Elsag NA mobile plate hunter.

Since equipping the vehicles, officers have already recovered a vehicle reported missing by a Columbia couple, on August 29th. The vehicle was reported missing at approximately 6:45 a.m., and an officer located it before 9:00 a.m., thanks to the ALPR. The vehicle was recovered in good condition, and the owners were able to have their car returned to them the same morning.

The same morning, the ALPR helped the same officer locate a stolen license plate. Upon further investigation, that license plate was on a vehicle that had been reported stolen in another jurisdiction. The man who had been driving the car was located and arrested, and he also had a warrant for his arrest as a parole absconder. Officers were able to identify the rightful owner of the stolen license plate as well.

Fact sheet about Elsag North America and the Mobile Plate Hunter 900