POLICE

You can run but you can’t hide

FLOCK LICENSE PLATE READERS PREVENT, SOLVE CRIMES

CONGRATULATIONS, OFFICER JOSH CZERAK

The enforcement of DUI laws is a thankless, time-consuming and unpleasant arrest situation. However, it is one of the most important arrests an officer can make on a regular basis.

On April 17, 2023 Officer Josh Czerak was given the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorist (AAIM) award in recognition of his efforts contributing to traffic safety for having made 100 DUI arrests. Executive Director of AAIM, Rita Kreslin, presented Officer Czerak with the award at a recent Village Board Meeting. Mayor Mengoni, Officer Czerak and Chief Ehrenberg are pictured above.

The Mission of the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) is to prevent deaths and injuries caused by chemically impaired or distracted operators of any motor vehicle or watercraft and to assist victims of these crashes in Illinois.

Possessing the technology to stay one step ahead of criminal behavior today is essential and sharing that information plays a crucial role when it comes to successfully preventing and fighting crime. The Police Department’s implementation of a community-wide advanced license plate reader program (pictured above), together with the private investment of 10 additional readers by North Riverside Park Mall (NRPM) sends a clear message to anyone considering breaking the law in North Riverside: you can run but you can’t hide.

Police Chief Christian Ehrenberg explains that in busy commercial areas, the cameras can read thousands of license plates in a day—a task that is just not possible for officers to complete themselves. In addition, having the ability to share data with all agencies that use Flock information, including the Mall and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), not only provides key evidence after a crime has been committed but can prevent crimes before they occur by alerting police to stolen vehicles, for example.

In less than three months, the information obtained from the entire Flock network of these advanced cameras in North Riverside has led to 20 total incidents:

4 11 arrests

4 9 recovered stolen vehicles

4 1 recovered gun

4 1 drug arrest

According to Flock Safety, 82% of all non-violent crimes go unsolved— not because police aren’t doing their job, but because they lack actionable evidence. Law enforcement agencies know that a license plate is key to solving most crimes because it can lead them to the name and address of the perpetrator. Flock license plate reader cameras offer many advantages, such as instantly searchable data, including plate numbers or information for missing/covered plates, as well as vehicle make, model, color, alterations, and other unique identifying information. With a standard camera, you have to go through hours of footage to find the captured crime.

“These cameras are just another necessary tool in our arsenal,” said Mayor Mengoni. “Our continued relationship with NRPM only makes the community safer and stronger. Partnerships matter and we intend to use every resource to keep residents and visitors safe. Once this project is complete, cameras will be at every major entry point into the community, giving the NRPD extra eyes and the evidence it needs when it comes to making solid arrests and convictions.”