Glassport Police to Add More License Plate Readers

Police Chief Shawn DeVerse seeks to expand surveillance technology in the borough.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Glassport council approved a motion to enter into an agreement with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office to add two more license plate readers in the borough. Police Chief Shawn DeVerse is hoping to expand the use of this surveillance technology to aid in crime prevention and investigation.

Why it matters

License plate readers have become a controversial tool, raising privacy concerns among civil liberties advocates. However, law enforcement argues they are an effective way to track vehicles and identify suspects. The addition of more readers in Glassport reflects a broader trend of increasing surveillance technology in many communities.

The details

The license plate readers would be installed at undisclosed locations in Glassport to capture the license plate numbers of passing vehicles. This data can then be cross-referenced with law enforcement databases to identify vehicles linked to criminal activity. Chief DeVerse believes the additional readers will enhance the department's ability to deter and solve crimes in the borough.

  • The Glassport council approved the agreement on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Shawn DeVerse

The police chief of Glassport, Pennsylvania who is seeking to expand the use of license plate readers in the borough.

Allegheny County District Attorney's Office

The local prosecutor's office that will be partnering with the Glassport Police Department to install the additional license plate readers.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in Glassport.”

— Shawn DeVerse, Police Chief (monvalleyindependent.com)

What’s next

The Glassport Police Department will work with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office to determine the specific locations for the new license plate readers and begin the installation process.

The takeaway

The addition of more license plate readers in Glassport reflects a broader trend of increasing surveillance technology being deployed by law enforcement agencies, which raises ongoing debates about privacy rights and the balance between public safety and civil liberties.