MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Back in 2012, the Meridian Township Police Department received an Automatic License Plate Reader through a grant from the Byrne JAG and overseen by the Michigan State Police.

The intention of the Automatic License Plate Reader is simple... a camera scouts license plates and analyzes the numbers to see if the car has been apart of any illegal activity.

Some citizens feel that such technology is invading their privacy. Officers believe the ALPR is necessary because of their uses in criminal activity.

"The only time we're looking in the system for information is when we have a particular target we need to have information on whether it be for a criminal matter or for a missing person," said Lieutenant Greg Frenger.

As of today only three police cars in Meridian Township currently have this technology installed.