NCJ Number
51
Date Published
Unknown
Length
278 pages
Annotation
ALPS IS A SYSTEM TO AUTOMATICALLY DETECT AUTOMOBILES THAT ARE WANTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY WAS TO EVALUATE THE COST OF AN AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE SCANNING SYSTEM (ALPS). THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM WAS ABOUT FIVE TIMES MORE EFFICIENT THAN THE NEXT BEST ALTERNATIVE. THE ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE SYSTEM COULD EFFECTIVELY IMPACT THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM AREAS - AUTO-RELATED CRIMES, AUTO THEFT, RECIDIVISM, STOLEN CAR, ACCIDENT DAMAGE, RECOVERY, NONRECOVERY, INSURANCE, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COSTS AND LOSSES, WARRANT SERVINGS, AUTO THEFT ACCOMPLICES, CIGARETTE SMUGGLING, STOLEN CAR FLOW PATTERNS. THE AREAS MOST SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY AUTO-RELATED CRIMES WERE SELECTED AND ANALYZED. A COST BENEFIT MODEL FOR THEIR DETERRENCE WAS CONSTRUCTED AND A PERFORMANCE AND COST EFFECTIVENESS MODEL FOR ALPS WAS DEVELOPED. THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO HAVE COST UTILITY FOR AREAS CORRESPONDING TO 95 PER CENT OF THE WANTED PLATE CRIMES. THE COST EFFECTIVENESS RATIOS DECLINE WITH THE DENSITY OF CRIME IN THE LOCATION.