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.
Police also reported that overall vehicle-theft numbers have trended downward in recent years. While theft had already been declining, EPD says the drop became steeper than historical data would predict, suggesting the presence of ALPRs may have had a deterrent effect on would-be offenders.
The department described faster recovery times as essential for minimizing financial and logistical disruption to victims, noting that quick recovery makes a big difference.
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