SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WFSB) - Police say new license plate reader technology has led to dramatic decreases in car crimes and even helped save a life in Southington.

The Southington Police Department installed 32 license plate readers two and a half years ago, paying the company Flock Safety $90,000 annually for the solar-powered cameras mounted on long black poles throughout town.

The cameras take pictures of every car that drives by. If a stolen car in the police database shows up, dispatch is alerted immediately and officers head out to investigate.

“I would say it’s daily that we’re getting alerts. We may not encounter that vehicle or the stolen vehicle. We may not find it right away, but daily, we’re seeing alerts on our cameras,” said Captain James Armack.

Police say the Flock camer

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