University of Toledo installing license plate reader cameras

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - The University of Toledo is installing license plate readers on its main campus and Health and Science campus.

Administrators say the crime-fighting tools will help monitor the campus and make it safer.

The university is installing 30 Flock license plate reading cameras on campus. The cameras can give police an image of the license plate of cars that drive by.

The cameras will be placed at all entrances and exits.

“I think it’s important to have things like that around campus because there’s situations where there aren’t always people around to see what happens,” UT student Alyssa Dean said.

Campus police call the stationary cameras a powerful law enforcement tool.

“There are cases where the solvability is low. We don’t have anything to really go on if they don’t get solved. So, the data that we can get from the Flock system provides a starting point for a lot of cases that would otherwise go unsolved,” University of Toledo Associate Vice President of Safety Jeff Newton said.

Many police departments like Sylvania and Sylvania Township are getting the cameras.

The Lucas County Sheriff’s Office and Toledo police have already installed them in various areas.

“Other law-enforcement agencies can use our data. We can use their data, so it just becomes a really powerful Network of information,” Newton said.

Students say they applaud the college for preparing for any future incidents

“Yeah, I think that’s great for the students here at UT. That way we know we’re safe we pay for college for a reason, so we want to be safe every day. Come to campus whether you live here or commute. It’s very important that we stay safe,” UT student Jason O’Connor said.

All of the cameras are expected to be active by the end of this month

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