License Plate Scanners Installed On P.A. Bridges To Reduce Number Of Stolen Cars

Borough President Vito Fossella joined his fellow elected officials as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced a $10 million investment to install enhanced license place readers at the Bayonne Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing.

They are already in use at the Goethals Bridge.

License plate readers collect digitally readable images of vehicle license plates that are used to locate stolen vehicles or vehicles used in other criminal activity, or to identify vehicles involved with missing persons such as children and the elderly.

​While the Port Authority Police Department has been deploying mobile readers at the Bayonne Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing, permanent readers use higher resolution cameras that are installed at locations optimal for more precise collection of data, which can be shared in real-time with law enforcement partners for investigations and prosecutions.

License plate readers are a tool to combat stolen cars, and while car thefts are down over the last two years, the scanners should drive those numbers down even more.

“We will continue to highlight the need for tougher measures and additional tools to stop thieves from stealing cars,” said Borough President Fossella at the Port Authority’s press conference on Monday at the Goethals Bridge. “Progress has been made, and we need to remain vigilant. We have maintained that license plate readers would be an additional and effective tool to reduce car thefts even more. We thank the District Attorney, NYPD and the Port Authority for their efforts and willingness to install these readers.”

In addition to those already in use on the Goethals Bridge, the Port Authority’s investment will bring the total number of license plate readers to 40, which will include 24 new readers at the Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing.

​They are expected to be installed by 2026.