September 10, 2026
Bolivia, NC — The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office is offering new insight into how Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology is used in local investigations, with Sheriff Brian M. Chism emphasizing that the system is a tool to support deputies – not replace them.
Sheriff Chism said ALPRs help investigators locate vehicles, establish timelines, disrupt drug trafficking, recover stolen property and, in urgent situations, find people who may be in danger. He noted that the technology is most effective when paired with trained investigators who know how to interpret and apply the information it provides.
Sheriff Chism outlines several recent cases in which ALPR data played a key role. Those examples include taking nearly four ounces of methamphetamine off the streets and making three trafficking arrests, locating an armed robbery and kidnapping suspect and getting the victim to safety, and tracking a stolen vehicle connected to a homicide and shooting investigation.
The Sheriff also addressed constitutional protections and public trust, saying every deputy takes an oath to support and defend the Constitution. The Sheriff’s Office maintains policies, safeguards and audits to ensure ALPR technology is used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Officials say that when misuse occurs, the individual responsible will be held accountable.
The agency added that ALPR alerts sometimes help locate missing children, elderly residents with cognitive impairments, or other vulnerable people who may be in danger. In those cases, officials say every minute matters.
“Our goal remains the same,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Use the tools available to us responsibly, protect the trust of the people we serve and do everything we can to keep Brunswick County safe.”
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