License plate readers coming to Antelope County

Antelope County Commissioners approved rental of four license plate readers during its Feb. 13 meeting.

Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore told commissioners license plate readers are going up across the state.

“They’re paying huge dividends.”

The sheriff explained how a stolen car in the county led authorities to discover the missing vehicle in Sarpy County, thanks to a plate reader.

“It actually captured that plate in Omaha. The officers converged on a Walmart parking lot and apprehended the person driving it,” Moore said.

He requested a two-year rental agreement for four plate readers, at a price tag of $3,000 apiece.

“It would be a $24,000 commitment,” Moore said.

His department is short two deputies and Moore said he could use money budgeted for those wages to pay for one year.

“It would be next year, if I would get a full staff. I’m not sure we could get the other $12,000,” Moore said.

Commissioner Neil Williby asked if the plate readers will also benefit the state.

Moore said when a wanted plate passes by the reader, law enforcement will receive an alert.

“They’re tellling me it’s like a 10- to 15-second time,” Moore said. “It’s a great tool and growing rapidly.”

Moore said he’s suggesting placement near Tilden and west of Clearwater. The rental company will conduct a traffic study and work with the state for vehicle number counts to assist with identifying what spots will be the best.

“We need that time frame that alerts us they’re coming into our county so we can scramble officers to get (positioned) as they’re coming at us,” he said.

Readers may also be placed on Highways 20 or 14. A decision will be made after Moore speaks with state officials and Nebraska State Patrol.

Wheeler County is adding cameras, according to Moore. A camera will be placed on Highway 70 west of Elgin. Moore will be added to that county’s notifications.

“It’ll also alert us off Highway 281 if they’re coming toward us,” Moore said.

Chairman Charlie Henery said it will help if all counties work together regarding placement.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Moore asked the board to approve spending $12,000 of the department’s wage budget for the readers.

“If you’re not using your budget, it doesn’t matter where it comes from,” Henery said.

“I’m not asking you to appropriate more money. I have money to do this in the budget. I just want to let you know it is a two-year commitment on the contract,” Moore said.

Henery noted that if the sheriff doesn’t feel the readers work, the contract wouldn’t need to be renewed in two years.

Currently, 30 entities have the cameras installed across the state.

“Buffalo County put up 40 of them,” Moore said. “That’s why they get so many hits.”

Moore’s request was approved. Commissioners Keith Heithoff and Regina Krebs were absent.