The Amarillo Police Department (APD) has been utilizing license plate readers (LPRs) since July 2021, a tool designed to automatically scan license plates as vehicles pass by. This technology captures a single image and logs the plate number into a database, helping officers quickly locate vehicles and solve crimes.
Sgt. Craig Cothrin, supervisor of the Amarillo Regional Crime Center, highlights the system’s success, noting an average of 15 arrests per month. The LPRs assist in tracking down missing persons listed in national databases and locating suspects based on vehicle descriptions. "It helps us find criminals faster and know their locations when they pass through LPR checkpoints," Cothrin said.
A notable example of the system’s effectiveness was the December 5 arrest of Jared Hernandez, who was wanted for alleged sexual assault. Using LPRs, video surveillance, and interviews, APD identified and apprehended Hernandez, who is now in custody at the Randall County Jail.
The Amarillo City Council recently approved funding for additional LPRs. Mayor Cole Stanley emphasized that the data is securely housed within the Amarillo Regional Crime Center and used strictly for criminal investigations. "This is not a surveillance monitoring system," Stanley said. "It has proven to be very effective in capturing criminals and aiding investigations."
APD’s use of LPR technology aligns with its long-term goal of enhancing public safety through faster crime resolution, offering reassurance to the community that innovative tools are being used to combat crime effectively.
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