NORTH BAY—The Northeast Region (NER) of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has now installed and activated the automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) and in-car-camera (ICC) systems in all patrol vehicles.
“As a result of investments made by government in the OPP and municipal police services in the province, the OPP is introducing ICC video recording equipment with integrated ALPR functionality to all its frontline vehicles at all detachments,” said Sergeant Carlo Berardi, media relations coordinator for the Northeast OPP.
“This initiative supports the OPP’s commitment to increasing transparency and accountability in the policing of our communities, and to leverage technologies that will enhance community and officer safety. These technologies will be used to gather enhanced evidence in the prosecution of offences and will also highlight the professionalism of our members as they work to ensure safe communities,” explained Sergeant Berardi.
In addition to the benefits that will come with having an objective video recording of an interaction between an officer and member of the public, the integrated ALPR functionality will dramatically enhance the ability of an officer to detect licence plates that are linked with criminal or traffic offences. Examples would include plates associated with wanted or missing people, stolen vehicles, stolen or unattached licence plates, suspended and prohibited drivers and with other emergent situations like Amber Alerts.
The NER continues to see drivers operating vehicles that do not have valid, registered plates, the release notes. Although vehicle owners are not required to purchase a validation sticker for their vehicle, licence plates are still required to be renewed annually or bi-annually.
“Members of the Northeast region are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities,” added Sergeant Berardi.
