The Atlanta Police Department recently used its license plate reader system to solve a crime.

At 2 p.m. on April 22 in Southwest Atlanta, APD responded to a 911 call involving a carjacking where four young children were still in the car. Immediately, Zone 4 officers, discretionary units and the air unit canvassed the area, and an Amber alert was sent.

Constant surveillance was done in the Operation Shield Video Integration Center and ultimately, a license plate reader hit led APD directly to the suspect and vehicle. Fortunately, the children were returned home in good health.

“This is an outstanding display of smart policing and how multiple units, coupled with advanced technology, can solve cases quickly,” said police officials.

APD is close to its goal of 10,000 cameras and LPRs. Today, more than 8,200 are connected into the Operation Shield Video Integration Center, expecting to exceed 9,000 by end of June.

In areas where Operation Shield cameras and License Plate Readers are in use, we are seeing a 25 to 45 percent reduction in crime, according police officials.

Information: www.AtlantaPoliceFoundation.org or @AtlPoliceFdn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.