The Sugarloaf Community Improvement District has installed 10 new automated license plate readers in the district. The Gwinnett County Police Department assisted the CID in determining where to locate the cameras to help catch criminals at the entry and exit points to the district.

The solar-powered, wireless cameras, provided by Flock Safety, have the ability to capture a vehicle’s make, model, color and license plate, day or night. Timestamps make it easy to search for a specific vehicle. As a part of the agreement with Flock Safety, and with the permission of the camera owners, the police is provided with access to camera recordings for improved response speed to any incidents.

“These new technologies are enabling large corporations, small businesses, communities and even the everyday citizen to be more active in their own safety and protection,” said Gwinnett Police Department Major Chris Smith. “They can provide real time data and information that can then be shared with law enforcement to make for a more collaborative effort in reducing, deterring and identifying crime.”

Earlier this year, the cameras assisted in the safe location of a one-year-old girl who was the subject of a statewide Amber Alert. The vehicle identified in the Amber Alert was spotted by one of the district’s cameras, which helped police search efforts.

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC