Freeport's license plate readers scan 15 million license plates

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - The village of Freeport on Long Island has installed license plate readers at every entrance to the village.

It's all part of a program started in November called Operation Safe Streets.  The goal, according to government officials, is to go after unregistered drivers, stolen vehicles and help solve crimes. So far, over 15 million license plates have been scanned.

An alert is sent to headquarters and police officers on patrol every time a questionable license plate is scanned.

Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy says he is sending a clear message to criminals. He says that in the first 90 days, cops have arrested numerous people including, "murderers, armed robbers burglers, armed felons and several drug dealers.

Mayor Kennedy says that the village has impounded over 548 vehicles and issued 2,000 summonses. 15 stolen vehicles have been returned to the owners and 25 persons have been arrested.

Many times people arrested don't live in the village, including a man wanted for a murder in Virginia.

The readers have brought up privacy concerns. But the village said it is not an issue. After 180 days, officials claim that the data automatically gets removed from the system.

Freeport officials hope to hire additional officers to help enforce what they say has been a successful start to the program.

The tickets issued start at $50.