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Toledo police are trying to renew the license plate reader contract
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Toledo police are trying to renew the license plate reader contract

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Toledo Police are looking to extend their license plate reading program for another year.

Cameras across the city scan license plates for stolen vehicles or those involved in crime. The boss said it was one of the most successful pieces of technology they had used.

Cameras are really starting to pop up everywhere. Toledo looks to them to give their officers another way to spot vehicles before they’re long gone.

It’s the latest version of the Toledo police eye, but it’s not necessarily looking for you. Search for registration numbers.

“It’s not big brother looking at your average resident walking two to and from work, going to the store,” said Sgt. Andrew Dlugosielski of the Toledo Police Department.

They are called Flock cameras. Those cameras scan license plates for stolen vehicles, those involved in a crime, or even a vehicle connected to someone with a warrant.

The police have placed a board in the real-time crime center and the herd camera is scanning it. It can even scan for a specific vehicle description.

“All he does is help us solve crimes. It helps us identify suspects. The more of these we have, the more likely a suspicious vehicle will pass one of them. That way we can solve a homicide faster, we can solve a robbery faster,” said Sgt. Dlugosielski

Information from the camera can be sent directly to an officer’s car. Letting him know if there’s been a hit nearby and if he should head that way.

“You pay attention to 100 different things when you’re on the street. A stolen car could pass right by you, you might know it right now. When the Flock camera reads the license plate, the officer’s screen shows ‘Hey, this is a stolen car or a stolen car just passed this Flock camera,’” Sgt. Dlugosielski.

The Toledo City Council meets Wednesday to discuss extending the program for another year. The price is $282,000.

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