Union Co. neighborhoods get license plate readers to help with crime

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Some neighborhood homeowner associations in Union County want to make sure people who aren’t supposed to be in their communities stay out, and they’re doing it with license plate readers.

“Residents wanted something to deter crime,” said HOA Vice President Anglea Mayo.

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After a string of car break-ins and burglaries in St. John Forest, residents started looking for cameras to install and found the license plate readers.

The readers also used by law enforcement can now be purchased from a company called Flock.

The HOA at Wellington Woods added the cameras two years ago after they couldn’t see license plates in their old cameras.

“Without a tag, it’s really difficult for police,” said the president of the Wellington Woods HOA, Charlie Clayton.

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The HOA president said they have access to video from the cameras for 30 days and have already spoken with the Sheriff’s Office about sharing information when incidents happen.

“If you got a tag, you got 'em,” said Clayton.

Residents said they hope other Union County neighborhoods will look into the same technology.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office said the cameras could be a good deterrent to prevent crime and can help law enforcement identify criminals.

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