Manteca has just started deploying additional license plate readers and already they are paying off.

In the first week or so they were five “hits” — vehicles either reported stolen or registered to a suspect wanted in connection with a felony — that were detected by the high tech cameras.

Responding officers, based on the alert, were able to arrest two juveniles in an east Manteca neighborhood.

Police Chief Stephen Schluer noted the license plate readers are being installed in “several waves” at up to 16 intersections and will all be in place within a month or so.

The first wave of new license plate readers were placed at intersections where traffic enters the city such as Spreckels at Moffat, East Yosemite (Highway 120) and Pestana, and Louise Avenue and Pestana.

The license  plate readers are part of $2.3 million in technology being deployed this year to fight crime and reduce traffic accidents.

Later this summer, 20 approaches — five intersections — will initially be equipped with the latest red light camera technology. There could be two more intersections added once the cameras are up and running.

American Traffic Solutions is making a $1.5 million commitment to put the red light camera technology in place as well as to cover support and processing of data that is collected and forwarded to Manteca Police for review.

The city will submit payments on  a quarterly basis relying on what revenue they derive from their roughly 25 percent share of a $490 red light ticket. The balance goes to the state and court system.

At the end of the year, if Manteca fails to cover the complete tab for the approach billings, American Traffic Systems forgives the balance.

The city is out nothing.

The $790,000 for the license plate readers covers a three-year period.

The city is using $790,000 in one-time federal COVID-19 relief funds that wasn’t needed to cover expenses Manteca incurred dealing with COVID or the loss of sales tax revenue created from mandated state shutdowns.

Some of the red light camera intersections will have license plate reader capabilities as well.

The city already had license plate readers at four intersections in place since 2016.

In one case last year, an existing license plate reader provided high resolution images that — based on a vehicle description provided by a witness — led to a suspect being arrested in connection with a homicide.

 Schluer said the plan is to cover entry points to Manteca first and then deploy license plate readers elsewhere within the city.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email, dwuatt@mantecabulletin.com

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