An Evaluation of a Major Expansion in Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Technology

Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are one of the most recent technological advancements that have rapidly diffused across US law enforcement. However, empirical research on ALPRs has not kept pace with their diffusion as there have only been a few rigorous evaluations of the technology’s effectiveness in addressing crime. This study builds on the scant research base by performing both a process- and impact-evaluation of a major ALPR technology expansion in the Atlantic City (NJ) Police Department (ACPD), which is located on a barrier island. A Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) grant allowed the department to buy and install stationary/fixed ALPRs on all entrances and exits to scan every moving vehicle in and out of the city’s jurisdiction. We explored the project’s challenges and implementation fidelity, plus the technology’s impact on investigations and clearance rates for shooting incidents as well as whether the technology expansion was associated with crime reduction. Descriptive statistics, bivariate associations and interrupted time-series analyses found that use of the technology may be more siloed in certain investigative units rather than for patrol functions. While the ALPR expansion did not reduce violent crime, it was associated with reductions in shootings, motor vehicle thefts, and property crime.