Mokena To Get 4 New License Plate Readers Thanks To Donations

MOKENA, IL — Mokena just got a little safer thanks to two donations at Monday's Village Board of Trustees meeting totaling $10,000 for four new automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras.

Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow and Chairman of First Secure Bank Group Jay Bergman each donated $5,000 to add to the Village's 12 existing ALPR cameras.

"Obviously this is a valuable public/private partnership. It will allow us to expand our existing camera system, strengthening the safety of the Village and security within the Village," Mokena Police Interim Chief Brian Benton said.

The ALPR cameras — also called Flock cameras — are strategically placed throughout the Village along some of its most traveled roads, according to Benton. The cameras are capable of capturing information from a vehicle's license plate and communicating that information throughout a network of other ALPR cameras in other towns, Benton said.

"These cameras save lives. They solve crimes," Glasgow said. "In the City of Joliet, where [Benton] started his career, we've solved a number of murder cases because of these Flock cameras. In a couple [of those cases], we wouldn't have even had a suspect if it wasn't for the Flock cameras."

Glasgow said the cameras also serve as a warning to would-be carjackers that when they come into the area with a stolen car, police will be alerted to that vehicle in the area and they can quickly respond.

"Both of those cameras — as well as we know they're working — we know it's going to make a difference," Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer said.