The Buffalo Police Department recently started using automated license plate scanners. Seven police vehicles have been using the scanners on regular patrols around the city the past several months. As a police car drives down a street the scanners read plates. Several plates are scanned in just a few seconds and the computer will notify the officer if there's something wrong by beeping loudly many times. It will do this if the registration is expired, the insurance has lapsed, the inspection is up, the owner has a warrant, the car is stolen, and for other reasons.

The license plate reader also scans cars parked on the street, in driveways, and in yards. The department is planning on getting more of these scanners soon. "It's another tool in the tool box for us. It helps us pick up on more things because obviously we can only do so much," a captain with the Buffalo Police Department said.

The New York State Police has been using these scanners for three years and reports the system has been a tremendous help in catching thousands of people breaking the law.