North Gwinnett News

Hoping to slow rising crime rates, Explore Gwinnett announced plans this week to install more than 100 security cameras at hotels and major venues within Gwinnett County, according to a recent report by FOX 5 Atlanta.

Alongside the increase in security, the organization is set to provide one or two license plate reader cameras to each county hotel to work in collaboration with local police officials. 

"This is just a small way that the businesses can collaborate with the police department to make a safer Gwinnett," Gwinnett County Police Department Spokesperson Hideshi Valle told FOX 5 Atlanta.

According to the report, the cameras not only read license plates but can also identify the type of vehicle involved in a crime and alert investigators instantly about a stolen car. Once the flock safety cameras are installed, the license plate readers will be used to provide detectives with details necessary to help investigate and solve crimes. 

"Security cameras, depending on the individual settings or the settings that the businesses have, might not be able to capture all the information. Flock cameras are able to get that key information for that vehicle that may be in the area," Valle told FOX 5.

Authorities said 300 license plate readers are already installed at key intersections, highways and large businesses, FOX 5 reports. The program, headed by the county’s tourism agency, aims to create a new sense of security for patrons of these hotels while cracking down on crime and increasing security. 

With the license plate readers already installed, the report states the Gwinnett County Police Department has made nearly 200 arrests, located more than 90 wanted individuals and conducted 46 investigations that led to arrests in 2021.