The Houston Police Department is placing a lot of emphasis on increasing the number of license plate scanning cameras, despite being at least 1,200 officers short. However, there are concerns about whether technology alone can enhance security in Houston.
Doug Griffith, the president of the Houston Police Officer’s Union, believes that while these cameras can be helpful, they do not replace the need for more officers on the ground. Griffith emphasized the importance of having more personnel to address the security concerns in the city.
Houston already has over 3,800 plate reading cameras in operation, making it the city with the highest number of these devices in the area. Plans are underway to invest $1 million in acquiring 60 new cameras. While these cameras can be a useful tool in targeting violent offenders, Griffith reiterated that they are not a substitute for the presence of law enforcement officers in the community.
Ultimately, it is clear that cameras alone cannot effectively address violent crime and security issues in Houston. The union president emphasized that having an adequate number of officers on patrol is essential to maintaining public safety and effectively addressing security concerns in the city.
