Harckham Secures License Plate Readers For Putnam Sheriff’s Department

The automated license plate readers are specialized digital cameras and computers that scan the license plates of vehicles passing by.

By Michael Woyton, Patch Staff

Nov 29, 2022 4:37 pm EDT

State Sen. Pete Harckham got state funding for license plate readers for the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. (Shutterstock)

CARMEL, NY — New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced Tuesday that the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department was awarded $74,000 in state grant funding toward the purchase of automated license plate readers.

The automated license plate readers, whether mounted in vehicles or on stationary poles, are specialized digital cameras and computers that scan the license plates of vehicles passing by and note the date, time and location. The accompanying software then quickly compares the uploaded license plate information with data from law enforcement agencies and offers near-instant notifications of whether a vehicle is linked to an investigation.

“Our public safety professionals require state-of-the-art tools and resources to protect our residents and fight crime,” Harckham said. “License plate readers offer high-tech assistance in tracking down individuals in question, locating missing persons and stopping human trafficking.”

The state grant funding secured by Harckham will provide 12 Putnam Sheriff’s department patrol vehicles with the license plate reading technology. Law enforcement officials generally use ALPRs in two ways. After adding a license plate to a “hot list,” vehicles that are stolen, associated with an outstanding warrant or part of an Amber Alert (missing child) or Silver Alert (missing senior citizens) can be identified and tracked.

Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville thanked the state senator.

“License plate readers have proven to be invaluable for both the law enforcement and public, especially when one considers the case of an older individual that has driven from home and become confused and lost," he said. "The ability for law enforcement to search multiple roadways for this person’s vehicle and locate the missing person before a tragedy occurs is made easier with license plate readers.”

The awarded grant funding was secured within the State and Municipal Facilities Program, which is among the grant programs administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to support community and economic development.