Sugar Land puts new crime prevention camera network into operation

SUGAR LAND, TX (KTRK) -- Sugar Land police have a new weapon in their crime-fighting arsenal. The Sugar Land's Crime Prevention Camera program approved by city council last year is now up and running.

The $1.6 million contract calls for crime prevention cameras at 27 locations, mostly north of U.S. Highway 90A in Sugar Land.

The project creates a network of license plate recognition cameras at entrances and exits to the city to help identify, arrest and convict criminals. The police department has used license plate recognition (LPR) cameras for approximately six years at three locations in Sugar Land Town Square and the First Colony Mall area.

The cameras will record the exterior of vehicles for the purpose of capturing license plates. With the exception of emergency situations or special circumstances, there will be no live monitoring of the system, authorities say.

City officials say license plate records will be keep for no more than 30 days, except when used as evidence as part of a criminal investigation. Information will not be shared with the general public, unless required by law for law enforcement matters.