FCPD fights crime with license plate readers

Fairfax County Police are reporting strong results from license plate readers.

“This key data-driven policing initiative, launched in November 2022, has proven to be an invaluable contribution to ensuring the safety of the Fairfax County community,” the FCPD said.

The license plate readers helped the police:

• recover 200 stolen vehicles;
• Arrested 514 people, resulting in 1,556 arrest charges, including 1,026 felony charges and 530 misdemeanor charges;
• locate 30 missing people;
• recover 43 guns; And
• Log 116 cases that resulted in the recovery of narcotics.

The FCPD purchased 27 LPRs from Flock Safety and Axon. Some are at fixed locations, others are mobile.

According to the police department, “LPRs have significantly improved their investigative efforts and solved hundreds of complex cases over the past two years, including malicious wounding, attempted rape, burglaries and other crimes.” Most recently, FCPD used LPR technology to combat organized retail crime in Springfield Town Center, Tysons Corner Mall and Fair Oaks Mall.

The FCPD has made several changes to the LPR program since its inception, including a reduction in data retention and additional oversight. Data stored by LPRs is only retained for 30 days.

Police do not receive LPR notifications for immigration warrants, driver's licenses, registration or inspection violations.