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East County News Service
September 1, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department is crediting newly installed automated license plate reading (ALPR) cameras with solving three crimes in three days, according to Lieutenant Jeremiah Larson. The Flock Safety technology sends ECPD real-time crime alerts when a stolen vehicle, or known wanted vehicle, from a state or national database is detected locally.
On August 26, around 12:15 p.m., officers began receiving Flock ALPR notices of a stolen utility trailer in the eastern part of the city. Officers located the stolen trailer and stopped it in the unincorporated area of El Cajon. The driver was arrested and the trailer was recovered.
On August 27, around 04:55 a.m., the cameras alerted to a stolen Chevy Malibu near Second Street and Main Street in El Cajon. Officers found the vehicle in a gas station parking lot and arrested the driver, a 44 year old Lakeside woman.
On August 28, around 2:15 p.m., Flock ALPR alerted to a stolen Chevy Sonic near Broadway and Mollison Avenue in El Cajon. Officers located the vehicle and stopped it nearby. The vehicle was being driven by a San Diego man, 31, who was arrested for the stolen vehicle and two narcotics related warrants.
“As we are seeing crime increase across this state due to ineffective criminal justice reform, the El Cajon Police Department will continue to use every tool available to us to hold criminals accountable who victimize our community. If you drive a stolen vehicle in the City of El Cajon we will locate you, arrest you, and put you in jail,” said Chief Mike Moulton.
According to the city, the technology scans license plates but does not have facial recognition capability, and will not be used for immigration enforcement or uses other than apprehending suspects in vehicles already reported to have been stolen or used to commit crimes.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the El Cajon Police Department at (619) 579-3311. Individuals with information who wish to remain anonymous can call the Crime Stoppers tip line at (888) 580-8477.
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