New Jersey city to install 44 license plate-reading cameras to combat car theft

SECAUCUS, N.J. - Car thieves have been a nightmare to New Jersey's cities and towns.

Now, those towns are hoping to flip the script.

"We're on a rampage with people stealing cars, people breaking into cars," said Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli. "It's just not a good thing happening in town."

That's one reason why Secaucus is making a bold move spending half a million dollars for more than 40 license plate-reading cameras, all of which will be positioned near the borders of town.

"If you got a stolen car coming into town, it's going to give an alert to the police," said Gonnelli.

"It's not only an investigative tool, it's a proactive tool," said Police Chief Dennis Miller, who says the town saw almost 40 car thefts last year, up from around 23 the year before. His traffic bureau and planning and intelligence unit went to work.

"They came up with the idea of this initiative to encircle the entire town with the license plate reader cameras," said Miller. 

The 44 cameras will be placed at intersections leaving and entering Secaucus and will be able to give police a major leg up.

"There's sometimes days spent trying to locate a suspect vehicle and identify it," said Miller, but with the cameras, it should only take them minutes.

Gonnelli hopes would-be car thieves take note. "It's a proud moment for Secaucus, but it's not a good moment for crime so if you're coming into town, beware."

While there's no timetable set for the installation of the cameras, the mayor hopes to see the cameras up and running this summer.