Sheriff’s Office plans to add license plate readers in certain parts of county [Video]

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A planned expansion of automated license plate recognition cameras in unincorporated communities in San Diego County is making progress Thursday and could be operational by the year’s end, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office announced.

According to sheriff’s officials, the agency plans to install 60 cameras in the communities of Alpine, Borrego Springs, Campo, Fallbrook, Julian, Lakeside, Ramona, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, 4S Ranch, Spring Valley and Valley Center.

Automated license plate recognition cameras capture color images of license plates, comparing them with law enforcement databases, according to the sheriff’s office. The transmitted information can help law enforcement `identify stolen vehicles, track suspects, locate missing persons and assist with criminal investigations, the office added.

ALPR technology dates back to 1970s, but didn’t catch on with U.S. law enforcement agencies until the mid-2000s, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday, sheriff’s Capt. Christopher Lawrence told …