RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A neighborhood in Randolph County is taking safety into its own hands after the sheriff’s office said it became the first residential community in the county to install automated license plate recognition.
Jeff Karpovich, the chair of the safety committee for the SteepleGate Homeowners Association, said that earlier this year, he pitched the idea to install an automated license plate recognition camera system.
“Criminals will want to go elsewhere once they know that they can get captured on video if they come in here,” Karpovich said.
The cameras are placed at the entrances of the SteepleGate subdivision in Randolph County, taking pictures of every vehicle’s license plate.
“As a security professional and as a homeowner, I’m thrilled that the board had the foresight to invest in this technology. I feel much safer,” Karpovich said.
Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Captain Eric Wilson said the SteepleGate subdivision isn’t a crime-prone area, and the cameras are great for preventive measures.
“This is a camera that will capture license plates and time-stamp … Those reads are only … used by law enforcement. They’re kept in a law enforcement-only database and can only be accessed whenever there is a specific law enforcement reason for the investigative tip or if a crime has been committed. It’s … a reactive measure. It’s to go back and look at it. Nothing is monitored live. We’re not watching cars come and go. That option isn’t even available,” Wilson said.
An ALPR camera system can cost upwards of $10,000.
Wilson emphasized that it was purchased and installed by the SteepleGate HOA and not the RCSO.
“First, I give them props for taking the bold step to safeguard their community. This isn’t Big Brother watching you. This is us having another tool as law enforcement,” Wilson said.
Wilson said if other HOAs or neighborhoods have questions about installing one of the camera systems, they can contact the RCSO.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel
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