In Eunice the installation of license plate readers is already proving effective in helping law enforcement recover vehicles and catch suspects.

Eunice, La. (KLFY) -- In Eunice the installation of license plate readers is already proving effective in helping law enforcement recover vehicles and catch suspects.

Eunice Police Chief Kyle LeBouef said the new cameras are a game changer.

"The rate that these cameras can scan these plates is certainly much quicker than any one policeman can get out there and look at a license plate and run it through the system. These cameras do it 24/7, 365," said LeBouef.

Through their grant program, LeBouef says his department was able to receive and install the cameras at no cost to the city.

In just the three weeks, LeBouef says he's already seen improvements as dispatch has direct access to the cameras as well as patrol officers, who also receive notifications on their computers and smartphones when a plate is located.

"We do receive them within seconds of being scanned. So, it reduces the amount of manpower that it would take to be out there trying to look for this vehicle in certain areas of our city," said LeBouef.

LeBouef also looks at the big picture, seeing multiple purposes for the cameras that will keep them in use.

"Not only detecting and recovering stolen property, but also in solving other crimes that we have in our city," said LeBouef.

The usefulness of these license plate readers were quickly realized as officers were notified of a stolen vehicle out of Oakdale and within moments were able to locate the vehicle and the wanted suspect driving the vehicle, making the arrest at a local shopping center.

While still in the process of learning how the cameras operate, LeBouef says the full effect of the newest tool in their arsenal is yet still to be seen.

"It's certainly not a new technology, but it's new to us. So, we're trying to work through the through the kinks, so to speak, to try to make it efficient so we can use it to the best of our ability," he explained.

As police continue to operate the readers as well as work with dispatch and patrol officers. LeBouef says he looks forward to watching his department get their job done even more efficiently.

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