The Houston Police Department has been placing a lot of emphasis on increasing the number of license plate scanning cameras, despite being at least 1,200 officers short. While these cameras can be helpful, they do not replace the need for more officers on the ground.
Doug Griffith, the president of the Houston Police Officer’s Union, emphasized that having more personnel is crucial to addressing security concerns in the city. With over 3,800 plate reading cameras already in operation and plans to invest $1 million in acquiring 60 new cameras, Houston has the highest number of these devices in the area. However, Griffith reiterated that cameras alone cannot effectively address violent crime and security issues in Houston.
Griffith stressed that an adequate number of officers is necessary to maintain public safety. He emphasized that while cameras can be a useful tool in targeting violent offenders, they are not a substitute for law enforcement officers on patrol. Ultimately, the fundamental reality is that technology alone cannot address violent crime and security issues in Houston.
