Brewster, NY –October 18, 2011—ELSAG North America has announced a partnership with Whelen Engineering Company, the only developer and complete manufacturer of all US made light bars for public safety vehicles, for the integration of its advanced Automatic License Plate Recognition technology into police light bars. The new blended technology will take advantage of ELSAG’s Mobile Plate Hunter-900® and Whelen’s popular Freedom™ all LED Light Bar, providing law enforcement with a more efficient and cost-effective ALPR solution without sacrificing the incredibly accurate reading capabilities of ELSAG’s ALPR cameras.
The ELSAG/Whelen ALPR Light Bar offers several benefits for agencies looking to deploy this technology, as it does to existing customers who intend to expand their systems. ALPR cameras hidden inside the light bar offer agencies a more covert option to traditional installations where cameras are mounted to the trunk or top of the car in full view. Cameras are fully protected by the light bar yet their industry-leading reading accuracy won’t be inhibited by this new placement. Importantly, all agencies will appreciate the easy installation, simple plug-and-play operation and all of the customer service and technical support one could ask for.
While in the final stages of development, ELSAG is working toward a launch in the first quarter of 2012. Previews of the ALPR light bar will be available during the International Association of Chiefs Of Police (IACP) annual conference October 22 – 26 in Chicago at Whelen’s booth #981 and ELSAG’s booth #801.
“Our mission is to aid law enforcement in their missions with the most advanced license plate recognition technology available,” says Mark Windover, President and CEO of ELSAG. “Working with the world-class engineers at Whelen is helping us bring new solutions to our customers without sacrificing our accuracy, durability, quality or service standards.”
“We are excited about the opportunities ELSAG has brought us,” said Howard Berke, Whelen’s Senior VP of Sales & Marketing. “Their technologies are engrained in many of the law enforcement operations that keep communities around the world safe. This partnership is a win/win for those agencies which require the highest performance and reliability in light bars and the fastest, most accurate license plate reading technology on the market.”
ELSAG Contact:
Nate Maloney, VP of Marketing & Communication
ELSAG North America
Phone: 518-495-2288
Email: nate.maloney@elsagna.com
Whelen Contact:
Howard Berke
Sr VP/Sales & Marketing
Phone: 860-526-9504 x2301
Email: hberke@whelen.com
About Whelen
Whelen Engineering is the developer and manufacturer of many products serving the emergency warning industry, including aviation, automotive and public safety sectors. Founded in 1952 with their invention of a rotating aircraft “anti-collision beacon,” other groundbreaking products followed, including the evolution of strobe light safety products, outdoor warning sirens, public safety light bars, and computer-networked warning systems. With manufacturing facilities in Chester, CT and Charlestown, NH, Whelen is the only US manufacturer of emergency warning equipment still making its products entirely in the United States. Known for the strictest standards in quality and customer support, Whelen products are supported by sales, service and distribution in twenty-five locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information about the company and its comprehensive emergency warning portfolio, visit www.whelen.com.
About ELSAG North America
ELSAG North America is a Finmeccanica company, a global leader in defense and security solutions, and is dedicated to providing proprietary advanced Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) and other innovative imaging technology to North American law enforcement agencies. ELSAG North America leads the market with its Mobile Plate Hunter-900® (the MPH-900®), the most advanced, most accurate license plate reader technology available. ELSAG North America is headquartered in Brewster, NY and has manufacturing facilities in Greensboro, NC. For more information about the company and its exciting technology portfolio, visit www.ELSAG.com.