The LSU Police Department has seen an increase in arrests in the last 30 days since it began a partnership with the District Attorney’s Office and Baton Rouge Police Department to use its License Plate Reader unit to scan for local violations.
The LPR unit is an LSUPD car with four cameras that work in conjunction with software to capture car license plates and check for serious crimes and infractions, said Det. Kevin Scott, LSUPD spokesman.
“Since we started comparing local violations, we’ve made quite a few arrests,” Scott said.
Scott said the number of arrests couldn’t be given, but the department has seen a noticeable increase since it began comparing local violations.
Scott said the cameras can be used as four separate devices, but the department decided to make the LPR equipment a “package device.”
Scott said the LPR can scan 180 to 200 plates per minute.
The device takes pictures of cars and plates, records car locations and the time pictures were taken using GPS coordinates.
When a plate picture is taken, the LPR software compares the plate to the National Crime Information Center, an FBI computerized index of criminal information.
Scanners recently began checking for local criminal violations, Scott said.
Scott said the device has the capability to scan for traffic violations and drivers without insurance, but the department uses the equipment for serious crimes and infractions.
“It can check for insurance, but we aren’t comparing it to that at this time,” Scott said.
Scott said the LPR-equipped unit is on the road 24 hours a day. The car is assigned to a different officer for every shift throughout the day, and the device works both while the car is in motion and stationary.
Scott said some of the information the NCIC database searches for is stolen vehicles, stolen license plates and fugitives.
Scott said the device was purchased in 2009 and cost $32,000, which was paid for by a federal grant. The grant covered costs including the camera, software, server storage space and the mechanics involved in installing the device.
Scott said the department does not have plans to purchase another LPR.
Trey Schwartzenburg, biology freshman, said locating criminals near the University is important.
“It’s beneficial to keeping LSU students safe,” Schwartzenburg said.
Folakunmi Folami, accounting sophomore, said the device is useful for helping recover stolen cars.
“If someone’s car should be stolen, [LPR equipment] would be really helpful in finding it,” Folami said.
 
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Contact Celeste Ansley at [email protected]