A $500,000 federal grant will fund purchases of new technology for the Gary Police Department, including license plate readers that will be used to surveil the city’s streets, according to its police chief.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services announced that the Gary Police Department had won the grant in September. The Gary Common Council voted to accept the funds during its meeting on Tuesday after a presentation by Interim Police Chief Jerry Williams.

Williams told the council that the Police Department plans to purchase at least five mobile license plate readers, which are mounted to police cars, and around 30 solar-powered stationary units, which will be installed around the city. The readers automatically scan vehicles’ license plates and check the results against lists of vehicles of interest to police, allowing law enforcement to more expeditiously track down stolen cars or wanted individuals.

Williams said that the Gary Police Department has already deployed “one or two” mobile license plate readers and around 30 stationary units. So far, he said, the technology has helped solve a number of crimes, including homicides.

“This technology has allowed the investigators to gain leads and directions of travel for people leaving the crime scenes,” he said. “Let’s face it: today’s criminals ain’t walking up to do a drive-by.”

Leaning on surveillance technology, he added, is a valuable strategy for a short-staffed police department.

“It really is a force multiplier considering the fact that we don’t have any more officers,” Williams said, “and so we’ve got to find smarter ways to use technology.”

Council member Lori Latham, D-At Large, raised concerns about the privacy of Gary residents and asked Williams how data collected by the license plate readers is stored.

Williams acknowledged that the technology might sound like “Big Brother-type stuff” but assured Latham that data from the readers is stored for only 30 days, after which it is automatically purged.

“I’m wondering if there’s a way that we can start quantifying the impact that these types of investments have,” Latham said, “because for me in terms of defining success it wouldn’t necessarily be just increasing arrests but also seeing real reductions in crime.”

“I totally agree with you,” Williams replied.

In addition to the license plate readers, grant funds will go towards the purchase of between 110 and 120 new laptops for Gary police officers, Williams said.

“Currently the technology they have right now is failing at a rapid rate,” he told the council.

Council President William Godwin, D-1st, lauded the Police Department’s spending plan.

“I think this is a good thing,” he said, “and I applaud you all and congratulate you on getting the grant.”