Eugene Police report stolen-vehicle recoveries averaged 15.3 hours with automated license plate readers, sharply reducing recovery times and contributing to a steeper-than-expected decline in thefts.
Eugene, OR. — Eugene Police say the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) has significantly improved the speed at which stolen vehicles are recovered and may be contributing to a sharper-than-expected decline in auto thefts.
According to the department, Eugene recorded 358 stolen vehicle cases over the past 11 months. For many residents, police noted, a vehicle is one of their most valuable assets, and losing access to transportation can immediately disrupt work, school, and daily needs.
Data collected during the period when ALPRs were deployed show stolen vehicles were recovered 30 percent faster, with an average recovery time of 15.3 hours. That represents a substantial improvement from the nearly 50-hour average recovery time in 2024 and the 44-hour average in 2023…