Middlesex approves 2nd license plate reader for busy intersection
MIDDLESEX TWP — Supervisors, at their monthly meeting on Wednesday night, Feb. 21, approved two quotes for the installation of a new license plate reader camera at the intersection of Route 8 and Route 228 East.
This would be the second license plate reader in the township, with the first at the intersection of Route 228 West and Route 8. According to Supervisor Jeffrey Winkle, these are the two busiest intersections in the township.
“Now we’ll be able to catch vehicles either in the northern part or the southern part of the township,” Winkle said.
A license plate reader camera captures license plate information from cars that pass by intersections. This data can be used to identify drivers who commit traffic violations, and can also alert law enforcement of the presence of any wanted criminals whose license plate information is on file.
“In a situation where you track down a vehicle, (law enforcement) could go to that computer camera system and see if that vehicle has gone through that intersection. That’s all it’s used for,” Winkle said.
Middlesex Township is actually paying for two items — the plate reader itself, from Secure Technical Solutions, and a three-year license for the software to make the plate reader function, from PlateSmart.
The plate reader will cost $12,430, while the software license will cost another $2,925. The office of Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told the township that it will cover half of the cost of the plate reader.
“This will now capture vehicles if they're coming from Route 228 East onto Route 8, or vice versa,” Winkle said. “So it's a good system.”
Supervisors granted final approval for the Courtyards at Crestview planned residential development Wednesday.
The planned development is about 68 acres at the intersection of Leslie and Truver roads. The most recent plans for the Courtyards at Crestview call for 83 single-family homes.
Supervisors already granted tentative approval for the project in December, after a public hearing on the subject in November.
