MEDIA ADVISORY

Beginning early this month, as part of the City of San José's 2022-2023 Adopted Operating Budget, the San José Police Department began installing additional Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras at intersections near locations where large and small business are impacted by organized retail theft, including, but not limited to: Valley Fair, Westgate, Warm Springs, Evergreen, and Blossom Hill.

ALPR technology captures license plates and a vehicle description that can be accessed to support active criminal investigations. The SJPD recognizes the importance of strategically deploying advanced technology to fill the void of police officers in the field.

In May of 2022, SJPD installed its first pilot program of ALPRs in an intersection notorious for hit and run collisions as well as fatal collisions.

In December of 2022, the Department conducted a community outreach campaign before launching another ALPR pilot program at intersections in seven neighborhoods impacted by violent crime.

Immediately, the ALPR System proved to be invaluable. Department detectives and officers have solved multiple violent crimes, including robberies, assaults with a firearm, home invasions, sexual assaults, fatal hit and runs, and an attempted murder of a police officer.

“Increasing community safety is a City Council focus area and top priority for the City of San José. ALPR technology not only contributes to that goal, but offers valuable support to our hard-working SJPD workforce in solving crimes,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire.

SJPD recognizes that with limited resources, police officers utilizing additional ALPRs will dramatically increase their ability to identify, locate, detain, and arrest offenders involved in organized retail theft.

"The ALPR cameras have had tremendous success targeting violent and egregious suspects who think they can get away with crime," stated Chief Anthony Mata. "We will now have a more extensive reach preventing other crimes, such as the growing trend of organized retail theft."

“We are working hard to ensure San José remains the safest big city in the Bay Area and continues to lead the post-pandemic rebound,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “But we need to do more—families and small businesses shouldn’t have to foot the bill for organized retail theft. ALPRs and other investments in targeted enforcement will allow us to hold repeat offenders accountable for harming our community.”

To learn more about use of Automated License Plate Readers and to read success stories, please click here.

To learn more about SJPD's data usage protocol and community outreach process, please click here.