Tarentum will be getting new license plate reader technology to assist police with surveillance.
Council voted to pay about $2,700 a year to VIPR, LLC, a company that specializes in plate recognition technology for law enforcement.
The move replaces the existing PlateSmart system and aligns the borough with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s platform.
Tarentum uses cameras and plate readers at several intersections in town. Police use them often for their tracking capabilities during investigations, officials said.
The technology captures images, locations and time stamps from license plates to help with broader surveillance and community safety.
District Attorney Stephen Zappala has overseen the installation of more than 3,000 license plate readers throughout Allegheny County since the initiative began in 2016.
Earlier this month, license plate readers were installed at both intersections of North Allegheny Senior High School on Perry Highway. The project was in partnership with McCandless police.
In February, Glassport police department enhanced public safety infrastructure by joining the VIPR program.
