JCF to Procure Licence Plate Reading System

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is seeking to procure an Automated Licence Plate Reading System, to assist in identifying stolen motor vehicles as well as those used to commit crimes.
Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas, who made the announcement at a press conference held recently at the Police Officers’ Club on Hope Road in Kingston, said that the acquisition of the technology would “play a major role in the domination of the roads by the police”.
Explaining how the system worked, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the Crime Portfolio, Mark Shields, outlined that the 10-year technology involved the use of a camera that would enable the police to “recognize a licence plate on any motor vehicle and check in a matter of seconds, whether or not a motor vehicle has been reported stolen or of any other police interest.”
He informed that the system could be used in a mobile format on the streets or installed at fixed points such as toll roads and other key junctions. “The technology can be made available to check every motor vehicle that passes through that particular point, thus, improving the detection rates of stolen vehicles and other vehicles of police interest,” he said.
DCP Shields informed that the number of equipment to be bought would depend on the funds made available, adding that the technology was cheaper than it was a few years ago, as the market was more competitive.
A pilot project would be conducted to test the success of the equipment, he said.