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Sacramento Police Hope To Expand Surveillance System's Reach

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Sacramento Police are praising their street surveillance system after it helped nab two car thieves in one night.

The police operating device on one street helped nab a suspect in the Spencer Stone stabbing.

In the past, police relied on businesses for surveillance, but the blinking cameras are what police prefer. They don't ticket speeding drivers, but they do track down suspicious ones with high-tech license plate readers.

Residents we spoke to raised concerns the technology could be used beyond what police are currently using it for.

Police say the results are hard to argue.

"Our department so far has had over 800 recovered stolen vehicles, many of which the vast majority have resulted in arrests," said Sgt. Bryce Heinlein.

The devices are two years old, but have been key in solving some of Sacramento's highest profile crimes, including the Spencer Stone stabbing and the murder of J.J. Clavo.

"They can be very helpful based on what image we can get from the cameras, or if the license readers picks up on a vehicle passing through an intersection," he said.

So far, 30 pods are spread out in strategic hot zones around town, and 20 more will be installed this summer. The Golden 1 Center in Downtown Sacramento will be a prime location.

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