The Ripon Police Department announced that new License Plate Readers were just installed around town.

“These are part of our citywide upgrade to the public safety camera system,” said local police via social media.

They added that some of the updated mesh cameras feature 360-degree viewing and advanced technology “to help us better investigate crimes, enhance traffic and pedestrian safety, and to protect schools, major intersections, and public spaces.”

Police noted that these cameras are not continuously monitored for minor violations, but rather “to serve as valuable resource, allowing us to rapidly assess situations such as crimes in progress and to gather video evidence after an incident has occurred.”

The Ripon City Council approved RPD for the License Plate Readers upgrades following inspections conducted by Odin Systems.

“Following the assessment, Odin Systems recommended replacing nine License Plate Readers that have exceeded their useful life with seven newer models,” Police Chief Daniel Sauer said in his report at the May monthly session.

The updated models are capable of scanning two lanes of traffic, reducing the need for multiple cameras at certain locations.