Property Managers are increasingly adopting Automatic License Plate Reader technology, once available only to law enforcement, to bolster security and automation in their parking lots and communities.
This technology is proving to be effective in proactively preventing crimes and safeguarding assets, employees, and customers as well as solving thefts leading to arrests. It also provides the evidence law enforcement needs to arrest criminals.
This technology is proving to be effective in reducing crime and helping property owners better control and enforce their parking rules. It also provides the exact type of evidence law enforcement needs to arrest criminals.
Local security industry expert Frank Renfro, CEO and owner of Modlock in Old Pasadena
By swiftly identifying suspicious vehicles and individuals, community managers have been able to avert potential security threats and ensure a safer environment for both their staff and customers.
ALPRs can integrate with law enforcement efforts. By sharing ALPR data with local police departments, communities can help police catch suspects faster.
Local security industry expert Frank Renfro, CEO and owner of Modlock in Old Pasadena, said Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) has evolved significantly in the last few years, benefitting from improvements in artificial intelligence and cloud services. Demand for ALPR has grown so rapidly that Renfro created a new business unit, ModPark, dedicated entirely to installing and servicing ALPR solutions.
These advancements have enabled the technology to not only convert images to text for license plates but also to identify vehicles’ attributes more sophisticatedly, Renfro said.
Renfro explained the dual nature of ALPRs as both software and hardware, pointing to specific camera features like verifocal lenses and infrared lighting to capture clear images under various conditions. These cameras, equipped with AI analytics, can process data either “at the edge” – within the camera itself – or “in the cloud,” where the software analyzes and identifies vehicles and stores the data for further use.
Renfro revealed that ModPark’s system, designed with an open architecture, can work with a variety of cameras and parking software. This flexibility allows for comprehensive and customizable solutions for different types of properties and facilities. “Closed proprietary systems like Vigilant or Flock can work great for some cases, but it has limitations and often times causes customers to pay for things they don’t need” Renfro said.
The operational advantages of ALPRs to multifamily properties and HOA communities are manifold, he said.
With a starting cost of about $300 per month, ALPRs can offer substantial cost savings on security patrol guard hours and office busywork related to parking management. Instead of manually recording vehicle data, tenant data, and citations, it’s all automated.
The technology’s cloud-based system allows remote troubleshooting and support, providing convenience and efficiency for property managers. Cloud based systems also allow for the most modern technology. According to Renfro, “by the time hardware hits the shelves, it can house software that’s two years old, that’s obsolete…with cloud based analytics, you are literally getting the latest and greatest technology on your property.”
ALPRs, he said, offer enhanced security, efficient toll and parking management, and effective vehicle management. The technology provides real-time alerts about on property activities, supports various payment and access rules in parking facilities, and automates the creation of vehicle databases, significantly reducing manual labor.
For further information about ALPRS technology, contact Frank Renfro directly at (310) 804-5302 or via email at Frank@Modlock.us
