San Fernando police chief promotes license plate cameras – NBC Los Angeles

Police in San Fernando are using technology that allows them to find cars linked to crimes.

“Cameras are strategically placed in different areas of the city. These cameras detect vehicles as they pass through intersections,” said Police Chief Fabian Valdez of the San Fernando Police Department.

The technology helps police detectives track vehicles linked to crimes. Earlier this month, the system helped police find a man who attempted to kidnap and rape a 14-year-old girl at a bus stop on June 3.

“Since launching this program in April, we have had numerous tips that have led to a number of arrests, including arrests for attempted kidnapping and murder,” Valdez said.

The system is a combination of digital photography and artificial intelligence.

“It takes the captured license plate and checks it against various law enforcement databases to see if the vehicle is linked to a missing person and if the vehicle was used in a crime,” Valdez said.

Using the example of a vehicle, Valdez was able to gain valuable information.

“When we do that, you can see all the different areas where the camera captured him,” Valdez said.

The system also sends real-time data directly to every officer’s cell phone. These high-tech cameras are in use throughout the Southland.

However, some argue that the system is an invasion of privacy. The American Civil Liberties Union called Flock Cameras a mass surveillance system and urged citizens to inquire how long data on unrecorded license plates is stored.

In some states, like New Hampshire, police officers are required to delete the data of ordinary citizens who are not wanted for a crime within three minutes. Here in California, this data is stored for 30 days.