Endicott Crime Fight: License Plate Readers at Village Entrances

Several license plate readers have been installed along some of Endicott's busiest streets.

Mayor Linda Jackson said the devices are located at key entry points to the village. She said the plate readers can be monitored by the Broome County emergency communications center in case there is an incident in or near the village.

Endicott police chief Patrick Garey had been working with a contractor on a license plate reader plan in recent months.

Jackson said the technology can be used to help police investigators located vehicles that may be linked to crimes. She said "we're hoping that is going to help in some instances."

Endicott police have investigated recent three homicide cases, an unusually high number for the village in such a short period. Two men were fatally shot in separate incidents about a week apartment in early July.

The mayor said "nothing can prepare you for what's happened with these two shootings." She said "that's very, very scary."

Jackson said efforts are continuing to install surveillance cameras in Endicott. She said she's hoping state money will be made available for those devices.

The mayor said some of the cameras planned for use along Washington Avenue will have face recognition capability to assist in identifying possible crime suspects.

The city of Binghamton began installing license plate readers about six years ago. About two dozen units were placed in high-traffic spots to track vehicles entering or leaving the city.

Binghamton recently began adding more plate readers and surveillance cameras around the city.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.