By Amy Sienicki
 
November 20, 2009
 
GRANTS PASS, Ore. - Grants Pass Public Safety is testing out a license plate recognition system that can automatically scan license plates.
 
It's the only agency in Oregon currently testing the system.
 
The system uses a camera placed on the trunk of a patrol car and a processing unit in the trunk. Police say it can help detect stolen cars, stolen license plates, uninsured and suspended drivers.
 
"With the in car camera, the radio, the lights, the directional stick etc., it's one less thing the officers have to worry about. It works by itself and lets us know only when there's a problem," said Lieutenant Jeff Geddings with Grants Pass Public Safety.
 
Officers will evaluate the system over the next couple weeks.
 
It costs $18,000 to equip a cop car with the equipment. Grants Pass Public Safety says it cannot afford the equipment at this time. It would have to seek grants or some other funding to have it permanently installed.
 
The system automatically scans license plates.