Midwest City Police Going High Tech to Catch Criminals

Midwest City police are using a new type of technology to catch criminals without even leaving their patrol car.

Saturday, October 2nd 2010, 11:18 pm

By: News 9


By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

MIDWEST CITY, Oklahoma -- Midwest City police are using a new type of technology to catch criminals without even leaving their patrol car.

The Midwest City Police Department is currently testing state of the art camera equipment that they said will better equip them to catch criminals as well as drunk drivers.

"The Midwest City police department is a little bit on the cutting edge here," said Midwest City Police Lieutenant Jonathan Goforth.

The equipment works by utilizing two cameras, one mounted in the front of the police cruiser and a second mounted to the trunk. The system, which is tied into a national database, works by constantly scanning cars' license plates.

"Once we get uploaded to this system it will automatically tell the officer whether it be on the left or the right [of the car], it will tell the officers someone is looking for this vehicle," Goforth said.

Goforth said the technology will make not only make officers' jobs easier, but it will also help keep them safe.

"It will make it easier for the officer to concentrate more on driving," Goforth said.

Midwest City Police Chief Brandon Clabes said the equipment is one piece of larger project to update the department's equipment.

"It's our pursuit of cutting edge technology," Clabes said.

Clabes said the equipment doesn't just make catching criminals easier, but more importantly it helps to better protect citizens.

"I've had a 109 stolen cars so far this year and our intent is it will cut down on that criminal activity, and it will help look for people who are wanted we may not know," Clabes said.

The Midwest City police department received a grant to cover the $20,000 cost of the equipment.

Clabes said the Midwest City Police Department is the only department in the state looking to utilize the system.

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