LANCASTER — The City of Lancaster will expand its network of license plate recognition cameras with new cameras on the east and south sides of the city.
The City Council on Dec. 9 unanimously approved a $336,450, three-year agreement with SoundThinking Inc. for the purchase, installation and service of 50 PlateRanger license plate recognition cameras.
The cost of the agreement will be paid from the Lancaster Police Department budget for technology-driven crime-prevention initiatives.
The city deploys 53 license plate recognition cameras from Flock Safety through a contract set to expire in spring 2026. The cameras have proven highly effective in advancing public safety objectives, according to a staff report by Police Chief Rodrick Armalin and City Attorney Allison Burns.
“Existing (license plate recognition) systems have assisted the Lancaster Police Department in identifying wanted vehicles, locating missing persons, supporting violent-crime investigations, and providing actionable intelligence that has directly resulted in the arrest of violent offenders,” the report said.
SoundThinking was selected following a formal request for proposals process conducted by the city.
“After evaluating multiple submissions, the committee selected SoundThinking, the vendor currently providing Lancaster’s ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology, due to their proven reliability, seamless integration capabilities, and strong alignment with the City’s technological infrastructure,” the report said.
SoundThinking’s PlateRanger platform offers high-resolution, real-time automated license plate capture; robust analytics and investigative tools for patrol and detectives; and integrated data-sharing and interoperability with existing SoundThinking systems, the report said.
Other benefits include secure cloud-based storage with strict compliance to privacy laws and departmental policy and scalable deployment options, allowing future expansion as needed.
PlateRanger has direct integration with ShotSpotter, so that the license plate recognition network can provide license plate captures associated with gunfire incidents.
“When ShotSpotter detects gunfire, PlateRanger cameras positioned near the incident location can capture plates of vehicles entering or leaving the area during the relevant timeframe,” the report said.
This will help the city’s police officers identify potential victims, witnesses and suspects, strengthening the department’s ability to respond rapidly and investigate gun-related crimes.