STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Permanent license plate readers (LPRs) have been installed at the Goethals Bridge as part of a new crime-fighting initiative, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Monday.
The new plate readers, which face both Interstate 278 and the Goethals Bridge, will be used to help law enforcement crack down on crime.
The plate readers will allow police in both New York and New Jersey to track vehicles crossing Port Authority bridges that might be involved with criminal activity, such as auto theft or missing person situations like Amber Alerts.
Additionally, the LPRs will help the Port Authority in its continuing crackdown on toll evaders.
In total, 40 permanent plate readers will be installed across Staten Island, funded by a $10 million commitment from the Port Authority.
Following those unveiled on the Goethals, an additional 24 plate readers will be installed at the other Port Authority bridges on Staten Island — the Bayonne Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing — by 2026, according to the Port Authority.
Currently, the Bayonne and Outerbridge are equipped with portable and mobile LPRs.
“License plate readers are the DNA of the highway. It allows us to know what’s going on,” said Greg Ehrie, chief security officer for the Port Authority.
Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon speaks at a press conference announcing permanent plate readers at the Goethals Bridge. “There’s no doubt that the arrival of license plate readers on our New Jersey bridge crossings have helped play a major role in deterring crime,” said McMahon. (Staten Island Advance/Mike Matteo)Mike Matteo
Speaking in support of the new license plate readers, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon praised their ability to assist in prosecuting car thefts.
Following a sharp increase in grand larceny auto cases starting in 2022, McMahon said that his office and the NYPD realized that thieves could move from Staten Island to New Jersey “almost anonymously,” using the Port Authority crossings.
“While there are a multitude of factors for Staten Island being the only borough to see a decrease in car thefts in 2023 and this year’s near 30% decrease in stolen vehicles so far,” McMahon said, “there’s no doubt that the arrival of license plate readers on our New Jersey bridge crossings have helped play a major role in deterring crime, holding both car thieves and toll violators accountable, and returning stolen vehicles back to their rightful owner.”
In attendance along with the district attorney was: State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn); Borough President Vito Fossella; Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn); Assemblymember Michael Reilly (R-South Shore); Assemblymember Charles Fall (D-North Shore); Councilmember David Carr (R-Mid-Island); Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid-Island), and representatives from the offices of Councilmember Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore) and Assemblymember Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn).
The key phrase from the elected officials in attendance was “collaboration” for getting the license plate readers funded and installed, and for the shared benefit they will provide law enforcement agencies in both states.
“You see the collaboration here on Staten Island, with our law enforcement community, with our law enforcement partners across the bridge, but also with our elected officials here, regardless of party,” said Reilly. “We do what’s best for Staten Islanders, and that’s our mission.”
Permanent license plate readers can be seen facing the New Jersey-bound side of I-278 at the Goethals Bridge. Monday June 10, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Mike Matteo)Mike Matteo