LPRS installed at Malmstrom's entry control gates

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Installation of the third tier of antiterrorism/force protection and crime prevention measures at Malmstrom has taken place and the 341st Security Forces Squadron gate guards have another tool to help them do their jobs more effectively. The License Plate Recognition System, or LPRS, is a combination of cameras, closed circuit TVs and computer software that work in conjunction with one another to provide this added level of security. 

"The process is almost instantaneous," said Master Sgt. Gary Gill, non-commissioned officer in charge of installation security. 

The process he refers to is taking a photo of the front and rear of an approaching vehicle and displaying the license plate on the computer screen. 

"The cameras are specifically designed to capture a picture of the entering vehicles, both front and rear, minimize the picture, isolate the license plate and compare it with a national database," Sergeant Gill explained. 

"The process starts when a vehicle enters 'the loop,' an area where sensors have been installed that pick up on the vehicle's presence." 

Another camera mounted on the gate facility will take a photo of the front of the vehicle at the same time. A warning siren is also mounted in this area. 

"If a vehicle license plate is 'tagged', a warning will sound alerting the gate guards that vehicle is not cleared to enter the installation," Sergeant Gill said. "The database, the Criminal Justice Information Network, or CJIN, tracks offenders nationwide and will alert the LPRS computer if a vehicle in the database is trying to gain access to Malmstrom." 

Tagging can come as a result of the vehicle being stolen or wanted nationally, or from local entries made in the database identifying those barred from or restricted to base or the driver who has had their driving privileges lost or revoked. 

The information generated is then stored and can be extracted at a later date if needed for legal actions or other information. 

"There is no mistaking when a vehicle is tagged," said Airman 1st Class Nathan Topliff, Security Forces gate guard. "The siren is very loud." 

Currently there are three supervisors certified to teach the training on the security system which was DoD funded and cost $102K to outfit both gates. All current gate guards went through about 20 hours of training each and are certified to operate the equipment. New personnel assigned will be trained on the LPRS before working a shift on the gate. 

"This is one more layer of protection -- along with the barriers and bollards -- to keep Malmstrom's assets safe and secure," said Kevin King, Chief of Security Forces Administration.