How does the Mobile Plate Hunter-900 work?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Something as low-tech as a license plate can often be used to identify and capture auto thieves. Automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) is being used in patrol cars across the country, with one of the leaders in ALPR being ELSAG North America (NA).

ELSAG NA has developed the Mobile Plate Hunter­900®—a tool that provides real­ time knowledge and post-action criminal intelligence to law enforcement, thereby increasing officers' day­to­day productivity and safety. ELSAG (2015) states: "With 70% of all crime connected to a vehicle, deploying the MPH­900® ALPR system to assist with a wide range of missions will help your agency realize remarkable successes, including the power to make the difference between life and death in a crisis. Our Automatic ALPR technology is proving to be a force multiplier so powerful that its positive impact on the safety and security of our communities and nation is undisputable.". ALPR technology can be used in numerous crime and situation deployments beyond the recovery of stolen vehicles, including:

removing suspended and revoked drivers from the road before they cause an accident
assisting with AMBER or Silver Alerts and missions related to missing and exploited children or vulnerable adults
Safe school initiatives such as perimeter security and school bus safety Developing and maintaining Sexual Predators Hot Lists
Drug interdiction
Highway and traffic safety
Terrorist interdiction and homeland security initiatives Gang and racketeering interdiction
Collection of unpaid taxes, fines, and fees