License Plate Technology Helps Fairfax County Resolve Cases

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — As law enforcement agencies increasingly use license plate readers, Fairfax County Police said hundreds of cases have been addressed during the first year of the technology.

License plate readers typically capture an image of a vehicle license plate and will alert an officer when a vehicle of interest has been found. Fairfax County Police launched its license plate readers in November 2022 using technology from Flock Safety and Axon to help solve crimes and find missing persons.

According to police department data, 335 cases have involved license plate reader technology in the first year of the program. That includes 18 missing persons located, 22 guns recovered, 125 stolen vehicles recovered, 204 arrests and 53 cases with suspected narcotics.

"The FCPD will continue to be at the forefront of data-informed policing strategies, including the responsible use of technology to meet the needs and expectations of our community," said Police Chief Kevin Davis. "LPR technology has proven to be a game-changer for our community. It has enhanced our ability to protect and serve Fairfax County and the pronounced results we’ve seen this year are a testament to the hard work of our officers and our community’s steadfast support."

One of the most recent cases using license plate reader technology involved a sex crime arrest in the Stratford Landing neighborhood of Fort Hunt. Police used a license plate reader to locate a suspect's van after a minor reported the suspect lured the minor to his van and exposed himself. Police believe the suspect may have exposed himself to other minor victims near a school.

While organizations like the ACLU have sounded the alarm on license plate readers contributing to a long-term database of drivers' information, Fairfax County Police addressed what is done with its data. According to the police department, the time data from license plate readers is kept was reduced 92 percent over the last year. Data is kept for 30 days across license plate reader systems, and Fairfax County Police does not receive license plate reader alerts for immigration enforcement warrants, driver’s licenses, registration or inspection violations.