The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is advising residents across the capital that officers will be out conducting an enforcement campaign using automated licence plate reader (ALPR) technology over the next few weeks.
An ALPR is able to scan 5,000 plates an hour and later compared on a provincial data base.
Rob Cairns, a sergeant with the Traffic Escot Unit with the OPS, told The Sam Laprade Show on Jan. 18 that Ottawa police officers have been using ALPR technology since 2016, and the system allows officers to detect a number of concerns and issues when scanning licence plates.
"The reader can help with a number of things like suspended/prohibited drivers, amber alerts, stolen vehicles, stolen plates, people wanted on warrants and expired plates," he said.
As of March of 2022, the provincial government scrapped renewal fees and licence plate stickers. However, a licence plate renewal is mandatory.
A renewal can be done through Service Ontario and is free.
Listen to the full interview with Sergeant Rob Cairns below:
