Investment To Install Enhanced License Plate Readers At Staten Island Bridge Crossings To Locate Stolen Vehicles, Toll Evaders
Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon & Port Authority Announce $10 Million Investment to Install Enhanced License Plate Readers at Staten Island Bridge Crossings
New License Plate Readers Coming to Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing Will Complete Agency’s Installation of Vehicle Tracking Tech at all Port Authority Crossings; Collected Information Also Will Bolster Toll Evasion Enforcement
Efforts Strengthen Collaboration with Regional Law Enforcement to Share Data for Criminal Investigations as Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon Announces Recent Decrease in Auto Thefts
Editor’s note: Staten Islander News has previously covered the recent enforcement against toll evaders and fake plates by MTA Bridge and Tunnel officers.
According to the Borough President’s post about this same matter:
“They are already in use at the Goethals Bridge.
License plate readers collect digitally readable images of vehicle license plates that are used to locate stolen vehicles or vehicles used in other criminal activity, or to identify vehicles involved with missing persons such as children and the elderly.
While the Port Authority Police Department has been deploying mobile readers at the Bayonne Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing, permanent readers use higher resolution cameras that are installed at locations optimal for more precise collection of data, which can be shared in real-time with law enforcement partners for investigations and prosecutions.
License plate readers are a tool to combat stolen cars, and while car thefts are down over the last two years, the scanners should drive those numbers down even more.
“We will continue to highlight the need for tougher measures and additional tools to stop thieves from stealing cars,” said Borough President Fossella at the Port Authority’s press conference on Monday at the Goethals Bridge. “Progress has been made, and we need to remain vigilant. We have maintained that license plate readers would be an additional and effective tool to reduce car thefts even more. We thank the District Attorney, NYPD and the Port Authority for their efforts and willingness to install these readers.”
In addition to those already in use on the Goethals Bridge, the Port Authority’s investment will bring the total number of license plate readers to 40, which will include 24 new readers at the Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing.
They are expected to be installed by 2026.”
From District Attorney McMahon:
On Monday, Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and local elected officials announced a $10 million program to install enhanced license plate readers at its three Staten Island crossings, where data from vehicular tracking technology associated with stolen vehicles or vehicles linked in other ways to criminal activity will be shared with regional law enforcement agencies for investigations and prosecutions. Data collected by such technology has assisted with the agency’s enforcement of toll evasion. According to the District Attorney McMahon, these data have also helped lead to a decrease of nearly 30 percent in auto thefts so far this year in cases before the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office.
“After recording a near 110 percent increase in stolen vehicles in our borough in 2022, my partners in law enforcement and I knew more had be done to not only protect Staten Islanders and their hard-earned property but restore public safety and peace of mind as well. Today, thanks to the incredible efforts of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and my office, we can announce that license plate readers are in use at all three Port Authority crossings on Staten Island – a massive investment in our borough’s public safety and an absolutely essential tool for investigations of all kinds from homicides and shootings to car thefts and kidnappings,” said District Attorney McMahon.
“We have a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in law enforcement secure and patrol the communities where our facilities are hosted and where our crossings connect with the various links of the regional transportation network,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This crime-fighting technology has proven itself to be invaluable across myriad types of investigations, and we are proud to assist wherever we can to keep our facilities and our neighbors safe.”
“The Port Authority is committed to providing useful information to assist our law enforcement partners,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “These license plate readers provide critically valuable assistance to locate stolen vehicles and vehicles otherwise linked to criminal activity.”
“As technology becomes more advanced, criminals are turning to more sophisticated means so we must also employ the best available technology to our advantage,” said PAPD Superintendent Edward Cetnar. “License plate reading technology enables round-the-clock monitoring that further enhances PAPD’s patrols and also allows us to share information with our sister law enforcement agencies quicker than ever.”
License plate readers incorporated into the region’s transportation infrastructure are essential to safety and security by collecting digitally readable images of vehicle license plates that are used to locate stolen vehicles or vehicles used in other criminal activity, or identify vehicles involved with missing persons such as children and the elderly. This technology to be installed at the Bayonne Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing also will strengthen efforts by the Port Authority to identify and prosecute drivers who repeatedly evade tolls.
The Port Authority’s $10 million investment for the technology at its Staten Island crossings will bring the total number of readers at the agency’s Staten Island crossings to 40, including 24 new readers at the Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing. The agency expects installation of the readers at the agency’s remaining two Staten Island crossings by the end of 2026. The Port Authority and the New York Police Department (NYPD) previously collaborated on the installation of license plate readers at the George Washington Bridge and the Holland and Lincoln tunnels.
Permanent license plate readers at the agency’s crossings significantly enhance the Port Authority Police Department’s (PAPD) ability to collaborate with various law enforcement agencies, including the NYPD and New Jersey law enforcement, and share intelligence and coordinate responses to criminal activities. This cross-agency collaboration ensures unified approaches to law enforcement, public safety, toll evasion and security patrols. While PAPD has already deployed mobile readers at the Bayonne Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing, permanent readers use higher resolution cameras that are installed at locations optimal for more precise collection of data, which can be shared in real time with law enforcement partners.
“The commitment to install permanent license plate readers at these crossings is a significant step forward in law enforcement’s efforts to fight crime and keep everybody in our region safe,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “In recent years, this technology has proven critical to investigations throughout New York City by detecting vehicles connected to persistent toll evasion, fraudulent license plates, gun trafficking, and other crimes. I commend the Port Authority and the office of the Staten Island District Attorney for their partnership and ongoing dedication to our shared public safety mission.”
“New York City has seen a surge in auto thefts and made our communities a target, particularly by transnational criminal organizations that steal vehicles, load them onto ships in our ports and send them overseas,” said U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York. “This $10 million investment by the Port Authority will be critical for the installation of the crime-fighting technology necessary to crack down on these thefts, along with rampant toll evasion that costs New York City taxpayers more than $100 million every year. I’m pleased to have helped secure federal funding for the NYPD to purchase plate readers for our police vehicles to support these efforts and enhance law enforcement’s ability to track and apprehend criminals.”
“I am encouraged to see the Port Authority’s investment to install license plate readers at crossings coming in and out of Staten Island,” said New York state Sen. Jessica Scarcella Spanton. “As Senate chair of the Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, I know how important information sharing with law enforcement is to combat against all forms of illegal activity. These technological advancements are an overall win for our residents’ public safety.”
“With the addition of permanent license plate readers on the Goethals Bridge and the upcoming upgrades on the Outerbridge and the Bayonne Bridge, Staten Island is seeing a positive impact on public safety,” said New York state Assemblymember Charles Fall. “These tools are crucial for the NYPD and the district attorney’s office in reducing grand larceny autos and catching toll violators. We commend their hard work and dedication for always keeping our community safe.”
“We live in a world where the good guys are constantly competing to be one step ahead of the bad guys,” said New York state Assemblymember Michael Reilly. “Today’s announcement that license plate readers will be coming to all of Staten Island’s crossings is a major development that places us leaps ahead. This technology, which I have long advocated for the utilization of, will protect communities on every shore. I want to thank the Port Authority and our law enforcement partners for their steadfast action on studying and implementing this technology.”
“As a former prosecutor that once effectively utilized evidence provided by toll readers on a Staten Island bridge during a murder investigation, I understand the importance of today’s announcement,” said New York state Assemblymember Michael Tannousis. “Law enforcement agencies must keep up with technological advancements to continue to keep our communities safe. These new license plate readers will assist in criminal investigations and will help ensure that people who break the law will be held accountable.”
“We will continue to highlight the need for tougher measures and additional tools to stop thieves from stealing cars. Progress has been made, and we need to remain vigilant,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “We have maintained that license plate readers would be an additional and effective tool to reduce car thefts even more. We thank the District Attorney, NYPD and the Port Authority for their efforts and willingness to install these readers.” “These readers will not only deter criminals from entering our borough to steal cars, but will also aid authorities in tracking stolen vehicles and increasing the odds of recovery,” said New York City Councilmember Joseph Borelli. “Any ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ wannabes looking for their Eleanor should look elsewhere.”
“This kind of technology is exactly what the NYPD needs. Car theft is a prevalent safety concern in Staten Island, and oftentimes, these stolen cars are taken to New Jersey,” said New York City Councilmember David Carr. “Having these cameras installed on the Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing will help put a stop to such a chronic issue and make Staten Island safer. It also catches toll evaders who pass the bill onto the taxpayer and those who actually pay their fair share. Overall, it is a win for neighborhood safety and taxpayers, and I can’t wait until it is installed. Thank you to DA McMahon for pursuing these criminals no matter where they to try to run.”
“License plate reading cameras installed on our bridges are a significant step towards reducing crime in our community,” said New York City Councilmember Kamillah Hanks.
“These cameras assist law enforcement in identifying vehicles associated with criminal activity. We are aware of out-of-state robbery rings targeting our area, and this new initiative will help us protect our community more effectively. This will also help identify fake or illegal plates, enhancing public safety and curbing the activities of repeat offenders. I commend District Attorney Michael McMahon for his proactive approach in using technology to safeguard Staten Island.”
“Long overdue and much needed, this vital public safety technology and infrastructure allows for seamless information sharing with law enforcement, allowing for quicker apprehensions of car thieves and more successful prosecutions in the courtroom. While there are a multitude of factors for Staten Island being the only borough to see a decrease in car thefts in 2023 and this year’s near 30 percent decrease in stolen vehicles so far, there’s no doubt that the arrival of license plate readers on our New Jersey bridge crossings have helped play a major role in deterring crime, holding both car thieves and toll violators accountable, and returning stolen vehicles back to their rightful owners,” added District Attorney McMahon.
“I would like to thank our partners in the NYPD for their heroic work that ensures our borough remains the safest community of its size in the country and my fellow elected officials for their continued commitment to the safety of all Staten Islanders. I commend the Port Authority, Executive Director Rick Cotton, and his dedicated team for their partnership and historic investment in the safety of our borough. Staten Island is a safer place today than yesterday because of our efforts and I look forward to working alongside our partners in the weeks and months ahead to make our beloved borough an even safer place to call home.”
Banner Image: Bayonne Bridge. Image Credit – k_r_craft
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