License Plate Readers Aim To Reduce Crime In Area
The automated license plate readers are now active on the Fort Peck Reservation to assist in the desire to curb criminal activity throughout the area.
“I believe they were installed a few months ago. There are many success stories utilized in the passage of resolutions to install LPR’s,” Wolf Point council member Lance FourStar said. “I’m sure as time passes, law enforcement here on the Fort Peck Reservation can attest to how these devices were a contributing factor in saving lives.”
FourStar, Valley County Sheriff Tom Boyer and the Drug Enforcement Agency urged the Fort Peck Tribes to accept the addition of automated license plate readers to the reservation about a year ago.
The plan is to use the ALPRs to monitor the ingress and egress of motor vehicles on the Fort Peck Reservation in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The hope is to reduce criminal activity including Missing, Murdered, Indigenous People and illegal drug activity especially fentanyl and meth distribution.
The devices are located on U.S. Highway 2 in Frazer and Brockton and on Montana Highway 13 south of Wolf Point.
“There are plans to eventually have eight total here on the Fort Peck Reservation, with eight on Fort Belknap as well. Rocky Boy, CSKT, Northern Cheyenne and Blackfeet will be installing LPR’s too,” FourStar said.
He reported that the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council recently passed a motion for a letter of support to Gov. Gianforte, whom granted the permitting.
Sheridan Electric Coop has donated use of equipment to install the devices and electrification. The Valley County Sheriff’s Office has provided funding for cell service and electricity as well.
The devices are primarily used for determining the mileage or route traveled by a motor vehicle, the location or identity of a motor vehicle on the public highways, utilizing a camera or other imaging device. The data is entered into a law enforcement database, which requires law enforcement officials to be vetted to utilize and access all data that is restricted to authorized personnel in furtherance of a criminal justice purpose.
