The first license plate readers at entrances to the city of Binghamton have been installed.

The plates of vehicles on Main Street entering Binghamton from Johnson City now are being scanned and stored. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The plates of vehicles on Main Street entering Binghamton from Johnson City now are being scanned and stored. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Mayor Richard David announced plans for a network of nearly two-dozen plate readers in his State of the City message six months ago.

David on Tuesday said some of the devices have been put up. Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, the mayor said the city is "just beginning the installation" of the readers.

David said one of the readers is at Main Street and Floral Avenue near the Johnson City line. He said that reader is operational. Another unit has been installed on Front Street just south of Prospect Street.

The mayor has said the project to install about 22 plate readers at virtually every entrance to the city will cost $700,000. He previously said ten readers would be put up this year and the remaining devices would be installed next year.

David said vehicles entering Binghamton will be scanned and automatically cross-referenced with local, state and federal databases and DMV records.

The mayor has said when a flagged vehicle enters the city, an alert will sound at a command center and "patrol cars will be at the ready to nab suspects in the field."

During the radio interview, David said he planned to provide more information about the plate reader program in the next few days.

A license plate reader on Front Street near Prospect Street in Binghamton. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A license plate reader on Front Street near Prospect Street in Binghamton. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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