Great Bend Post
Jun 04, 2024

Great Bend’s license plate recognition successful even when damaged

Posted Jun 04, 2024 2:37 AM

By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post

The license plate recognition cameras employed by the City of Great Bend are proving to be successful even when they are getting damaged.

Great Bend Police Chief Steve Haulmark told the city council Monday that around 9:30 a.m. this morning a motorist had a tire blowout on South U.S. 281 Highway, lost control of the vehicle, crashed into a light pole and one of the Police Department’s license plate cameras.

"The gentleman made the decision to leave the scene," said Haulmark. "Through the use of our other license plate readers, we were able to find that same vehicle. We had contact with him in his driveway as he was vacuuming all that glass out of his car. It went really well."

In February 2023, the Police Department secured a $132,000 federal grant to purchase license plate recognition technology and 12 cameras. The Police Department will receive the same grant amount this year to renew the lease on the existing cameras and add eight more cameras.

"Those cameras are doing exactly what they're supposed to do," said Haulmark. "We're not tracking anybody that we don't need to. When we need to find a vehicle it's very helpful."

The Flock Safety technology also allows Great Bend to access cameras throughout the state and beyond.