For law enforcement agencies, every second counts. The faster investigators can generate actionable leads, the higher the chance of closing a case and keeping communities safe. The Hammond, Indiana Police Department understands this reality and has strategically built a comprehensive license plate recognition (LPR) program to accelerate investigations and enhance public safety. Recently, they added a powerful new tool to their arsenal: the Motorola Solutions L6D dual-purpose LPR camera.
A Multi-Faceted Approach to LPR
The Hammond Police Department (PD) doesn’t rely on a single solution. Instead, they’ve deployed a diverse portfolio of LPR cameras to create a robust safety network.
According to Lieutenant Chris Gootee, their program includes a range of purpose-built cameras. “Our current LPR portfolio includes the L5F, the L5M and the L6Q quick-deploy camera that we move around temporarily for festivals or things like that. And, just now we got the L6D, dual-lens camera for certain applications”. This strategy allows them to deploy high-performance fixed cameras around the city, use mobile cameras on patrol vehicles, and set up temporary, quick-deploy cameras for special events or tactical needs.
A Game Changer: The L6D’s “2 in 1” Advantage
While their existing program is effective, the addition of the L6D camera brings a new level of insight by combining two critical capabilities into a single device.
“The L6D is a camera, it’s 2 in 1,” explains Lt. Gootee. “A normal intersection camera—all the flows of traffic—at a wide field of view. So you could see the surroundings. The other camera in the L6D sees the license plates.”
This dual-purpose design provides both high-accuracy LPR data and high-quality color security video from a single installation. This not only reduces equipment clutter but also provides a more complete picture of an incident, which is crucial for investigators. When evidence is captured in one place, it streamlines the investigative process.
“When the LPR system and the video security system are separate, you have to go into two different systems to get the data that you need,” Lt. Gootee notes. “When the images are combined together in one camera, there’s one place to go.”
The Power of Context
The true value of the L6D lies in its ability to provide situational awareness far beyond a simple license plate read. For detectives, this contextual information can be the key to breaking a case open.
Sergeant Jenny Schutz highlights a common challenge in auto theft investigations: identifying the second vehicle used by suspects. The L6D helps solve this problem. “You have another car that shows up with the individuals, who jump out of that car and then they’ll target whatever vehicle they want to steal,” she explains. The L6D’s wider view “would also show me possibly that chase vehicle or that other vehicle that the suspects came in, and I would be able to get that license plate information off of there… to figure out who’s actually coming to Hammond and stealing our vehicles.”
This ability to see the bigger picture provides a richer narrative of events. “The benefit of seeing the bigger picture at certain intersections is that you could see where the car goes after the license plate detection,” adds Lt. Gootee. “…you could see if it continues straight, if it goes forward and turns left, turns right, or makes a U-turn.”
Accelerating Investigations and Building Safer Communities
For Hammond PD, LPR technology is a proven tool for generating leads and solving crimes ranging from auto theft to violent offenses. “Any time there is an auto theft, the first thing I do is I pull up the license plate reader cameras,” says Sgt. Schutz.
Captain Ezequiel Hinojosa recalls a home invasion where LPR was instrumental. “We were able to establish the license plate from a surrounding LPR camera,” he says. “So we were able to identify individuals involved and get charges filed on individuals at that home invasion.”
Ultimately, the goal is to create a safer environment for citizens. By leveraging tools like the L6D, Hammond PD can resolve cases faster, preventing criminals from using stolen vehicles to commit additional violent crimes. This proactive approach has earned the trust of the people they serve. “Our community supports us and our use of the LPR cameras,” says Lt. Gootee. “They know that we’re using it for the right reasons and to keep them safe.”
As Sgt. Schutz concludes, the mission is clear: “We want to make our community safer so that our residents feel safer.” With innovative partners and technology like the L6D dual-purpose camera, the Hammond Police Department is doing just that.
