WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford police will place 13 automated license plate reading cameras around town in a trial period to test and evaluate them, the department announced.

The cameras capture license plates and vehicle characteristics, and they send a real-time alert to law enforcement when a stolen car or known wanted suspect from a crime database is spotted, police said.

They can also send alerts if a vehicle associated with a missing person in an AMBER or silver alert is detected, police said.

No people or faces are detected, and officers described the cameras as "providing objective evidence."

Officers didn't specify where the cameras will be put, though they said they will be placed in strategic areas around town.

Police said the cameras will be used to solve and reduce property and violent crime, and not minor traffic or parking violations.

Each search of the camera's database requires a justification, and the data won't be sold or shared with third parties, police said.

The cameras are built by public safety technology company Flock Safety. Anyone with questions about them is asked to contact the police department at 860-523-5203.

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