San Francisco strikes forward with set up of automated license-plate readers throughout town

San Francisco city officials are pushing forward with one of the crime-fighting tactics that wasn't allowed until residents voted to approve Prop E in early March.

Installation of 400 Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) at 100 intersections across San Francisco is set to begin. The cameras are intended to combat theft, violent crime and illegal sideshows.

While San Francisco Mayor London Breed signed the cameras into law In January, that plan failed to materialize until San Francisco voters passed Prop E, which allows police to make greater use of technology.

The city said the cameras would help search for suspects, witnesses and missing people, but would not include facial recognition software.

SFPD Chief Bill Scott called it a game changer at a press event promoting ALPRs in the Sunset District.

“The City and County of San Francisco is the technology capital of the world. And now our officers have the technology they need to better address the crime challenges in our city,” Scott said.

“Automated license plate readers can play an invaluable role in tracking down and holding accountable some of the perpetrators of these crimes,” Breed added.

The cameras will now be continuously placed at intersections and locations throughout the city. Police expect all 400 cameras to be installed and operational within the next three months.

Part of the project's funding comes from last year's state grant to combat organized retail theft. The city received $17.3 million.

The license plate readers are being rolled out The city is preparing to install dozens of speed cameras at some of San Francisco's most dangerous intersections.

The speed cameras are part of a pilot program under a new statewide law. Public transit officials have identified the 33 locations for the cameras.

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