HPD relies on technology to fight crime during officer shortage

With HPD still short at least 1,200 officers, the focus has been on adding additional license plate scanner cameras.

But does technology mean more safety, especially here in Houston?

“These cameras, while they are a force multiplier, do not take away from our manpower needs,” said Doug Griffith, president of the Houston police officers union. “We need more staff on the ground.”

They need more troops on the ground, but what about cameras? Currently, Houston has more than 3,800 plate-reading cameras, the highest number in the station, and plans to spend $1 million on 60 new ones.

“It’s a good tool, but it’s just that. It’s just a tool to prosecute violent offenders,” Griffith told KTRH, “But that doesn’t change the fact that we need to have more hands – working in the streets to pursue them.”

The reality is that cameras cannot fight violent crime.