Brentwood Police to Obtain License Plate Recognition System

The Brentwood Police Department will soon have the capability to drive through a parking lot, and with an automated license plate recognition system (APLR), detect any vehicles on the lot that are stolen or wanted.

At the Sept. 27 Public Safety Committee meeting, Chief Steve Disbennett said the system will cost the department approximately $15,500, which will be covered by funds in a Drug Enforcement Agency seizure fund. There will be no expense to the city.

The system also stores information that can be recalled when needed. Disbennett gave the example that if police were looking for a 1999 white Ford, all previously scanned 1999 white Fords could be called back up to search.

He said Richmond Heights already has the system, and the Maplewood Police Department equiped one patrol car last year, as reported in Patch.

Disbennett said the system doesn’t flag expired plates or drivers with parking tickets.