The fentanyl crisis, devastating American communities, requires a coordinated U.S.-wide response that utilizes the most advanced law enforcement tactics and sophisticated technological tools available. International drug trafficking organizations have built complex operations wholly focused on moving deadly synthetic opioids across interstate highways.
Automated License Plate Recognition technology has emerged as a crucial tool in law enforcement’s fight against drug trafficking.
The challenge is enormous. Trafficking organizations are constantly adapting their routes and methods, swapping vehicles, plates, and working across wide networks. Traditional interdiction methods alone cannot adequately address the scale of these operations. This is where ALPR technology becomes a game-changer.
Consider the recent success in Everett, Wash. In January 2024, what began as an ALPR alert for a stolen license plate led officers to discover a significant quantity of fentanyl intended for distribution. As the Everett Police Department noted, “Our department is leveraging innovative technology such as the Flock Safety System to improve community safety.”
This case exemplifies how ALPR technology can help law enforcement disrupt drug trafficking operations that might otherwise go undetected.
The strategic placement of ALPR systems along known drug trafficking corridors and near border crossings creates a virtual net that can help identify and locate vehicles suspected of transporting narcotics. These systems enable real-time coordination between local, state, and federal agencies – crucial for intercepting drug shipments that often cross multiple jurisdictions.
The technology’s deterrent effect is significant. When trafficking organizations know their vehicles can be instantly identified and located, they must either alter their routes or risk detection. This disruption of established trafficking patterns makes their operations more vulnerable to interdiction and increases their operating costs, ultimately reducing the flow of deadly narcotics into our communities.
ALPR systems are particularly valuable in the context of cross-border trafficking. Along both the Canadian and Mexican borders, these systems help customs and border protection officers identify suspicious patterns of vehicle movement that might indicate drug trafficking operations. Regular crossings by the same vehicles, especially during unusual hours or at different ports of entry, can trigger alerts for further investigation.
The public overwhelmingly supports enhanced law enforcement capabilities to combat the fentanyl crisis. With 70% of Americans worried about crime and 47% supporting improved police investigative capacity, expanding ALPR deployment aligns with public demand for more effective drug interdiction strategies. Research backs this approach – an MIT study found that every dollar spent on police technology generates approximately $1.63 in social benefits.
Some argue for limiting law enforcement’s access to such technology. However, when we consider that fentanyl overdoses have become a leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-45, we must ask: can we afford not to use every available tool to combat this crisis? The cost of inaction is measured in lives lost to drug overdoses and communities torn apart by addiction.
The path forward requires a comprehensive approach: deploying ALPR technology strategically along trafficking routes, establishing clear protocols for inter-agency data sharing, and maintaining appropriate oversight while ensuring law enforcement has the flexibility to respond rapidly to emerging threats.
Our law enforcement officers, particularly those working in border regions and drug trafficking corridors, deserve access to technologies that can help them interdict deadly narcotics before they reach our streets. ALPR represents a proven, effective tool in this fight. The technology exists. The public support exists. Now we need policymakers to take action and ensure our law enforcement agencies have access to these crucial resources.
The fentanyl crisis demands a 21st Century response. By empowering law enforcement with ALPR technology, we can enhance their ability to disrupt international drug trafficking operations and save American lives. This isn’t just about embracing innovation – it’s about giving our police the tools they need to protect our communities from one of the deadliest threats they face.
Jordan Kaye Colvin previously served as an undercover DC police officer working on a regional FBI anti-human trafficking task force. She also served as Legislative Director for U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J. She founded and ran a nonprofit organization to push for legislation to connect veterans with service dogs, which former President Biden signed into law.
Jaime Puerta is the founder of VOID and cofounder of Facing Fentanyl, organizations dedicated to reducing overdose deaths in California. Puerta founded these groups in honor of his son Daniel’s memory.
This article was originally published at www.thecentersquare.com
