Attorney General Platkin Announces $1.4 Million for Expansion of Automated License Plate Reader Technology in Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (February 15, 2024) – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced today that more than $1 million in transitional aid from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Division of Local Government Services (DLGS), together with grant dollars from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), will fund the purchase and installation of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology and related equipment in and around Atlantic City roadways.

ALPR systems use high-speed, automated camera networks to scan and store computer-readable images of license plates in a centralized database accessible to law enforcement. This information assists law enforcement in identifying, locating, and recovering stolen vehicles; interrupting auto theft networks; apprehending individuals involved in vehicle theft and other violent crimes; and finding missing persons and tracking Amber and Silver alerts. The technology will be installed at fixed locations throughout Atlantic City.

Planning for the project began in May 2023, and the cameras will be installed and deployed over the next several months. The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) will receive over $1.1 million from DCA and over $273,000 from CRDA for the purchase and installation of 120 ALPR units. Information obtained through the equipment will be shared by NJSP in real-time through the Regional Operations Intelligence Center and Real Time Crime Centers operated by the NJSP with relevant law enforcement partners as appropriate for investigative and operational need.

“Reducing auto theft and violent crime is my number one priority, and the ALPR technology that we are investing in as part of this initiative is crucial to help law enforcement detect, respond to, and solve crimes,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Atlantic City is an iconic part of our state, and I am grateful for the current and ongoing support of the Department of Community Affairs, the CRDA, and the NJSP as we work together to make it a safer place for our residents and visitors.”

“ALPR technology allows for seamless collaboration among all levels of law enforcement by enabling the sharing of data and intelligence to address regional and cross-jurisdictional challenges,” said Jacquelyn A. Suárez, Acting Commissioner of DCA.“In addition, integrating this technology into existing infrastructure is a cost-effective, proactive, public safety enhancement.”

“In the time that we have been utilizing ALPR technology, it has proven itself indispensable to the law enforcement community,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the NJSP.“ The real-time data enables us to respond more rapidly to incidents and potential threats and enhances our ability to investigate and resolve criminal activities with greater efficiency while simultaneously serving as a deterrent.”

“The residents of Atlantic City, its thousands of workers, and its millions of visitors deserve to feel secure where they live, work, and play,” said Division of Gaming Enforcement Director David Rebuck. “The targeted capabilities of this technology will reinforce security in a city that remains a premier destination on the East Coast for casino gaming and sports betting.”

“We’re pleased to support this important safety project, which will benefit not only the Atlantic City Tourism District but the entire area,” said Maisha Y. Moore, Interim Executive Director of the CRDA. “Use of this technology provides an extra layer of security for our in-state and out-of-state visitors as well as our community members.”

“The deployment of ALPR technology aligns with our commitment to not only be a clean and safe city, but a smart city as well,” said Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. “This is one of many game changers you can expect in the Great City of Atlantic City as we continue to invest in technology, and we are thrilled to have another crime-fighting tool through our partnership with the NJSP.”

“I am enthusiastic about the implementation of additional license plate readers in Atlantic City thanks to our partnership with the NJSP and State of New Jersey,” said Atlantic City Police Department Chief of Police James Sarkos.  “These readers will further enhance public safety efforts in Atlantic City.”

ALPR technology is already used around the state; last year, for example, Attorney General Platkin announced that 34 law enforcement agencies in all 21 counties and the NJSP received $10 million in grant funding for ALPR systems.

The technology and the data it generates are governed by Attorney General Directive 2022-12, which significantly updated the State’s ALPR policies for the first time since New Jersey began using the systems in 2010.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-platkin-announces-1-4-million-for-expansion-of-automated-license-plate-reader-technology-in-atlantic-city/