Tricia Grant is executive director of the Maine-based Just Love Worldwide, a survivor-led nonprofit organization that works to end exploitation and sex trafficking.

Human trafficking, child exploitation, organized theft and violent crime are not abstract problems. They are realities affecting communities across Maine, New England and throughout the country.

As a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation of children and as someone who has spent years working alongside survivors, law enforcement, educators and community leaders, I have seen firsthand how critical timely information can be when responding to dangerous situations. That is why tools like license plate reader technology deserve thoughtful support.

Modern criminal activity is increasingly mobile and coordinated. Whether it involves trafficking networks, repeat violent offenders or organized retail theft rings, vehicles are often central to how crimes are committed and how suspects evade capture.

Law enforcement agencies need tools that help them identify leads quickly, connect investigations across jurisdictions and respond before additional harm occurs. License plate recognition technology provides exactly that kind of support.

These tools do not replace police work or community engagement. They serve as investigative tools that help officers identify suspect vehicles tied to crimes such as abductions, trafficking, assaults and stolen vehicles. In many cases, they provide critical evidence that can narrow investigations from thousands of possibilities to a manageable and actionable lead.

This matters especially in cases involving vulnerable individuals and missing persons, where time is often the most important factor.

Critics raise concerns about privacy, and those concerns deserve discussion. Any technology used by government agencies should include clear oversight, transparency, audit trails and responsible data retention policies. Public trust is essential.

But there is also an important reality that communities must acknowledge: criminals already use technology aggressively and effectively. Traffickers, organized criminal networks and repeat offenders rely on mobility, coordination and anonymity. Expecting law enforcement to address increasingly sophisticated crimes without modern investigative tools puts communities at a disadvantage.

At a time when many law enforcement agencies face staffing shortages and increasing demands, technologies that act as force multipliers can improve both efficiency and public safety. They allow officers to spend less time chasing dead ends and more time focusing on protecting victims and preventing future crimes.

No technology is a cure-all. Strong communities still require prevention efforts, education, victim services, and collaboration between public agencies and local organizations. But rejecting effective tools simply because they are modern does not make communities safer.

Used responsibly and with proper safeguards, these technologies can help law enforcement solve crimes faster, recover victims sooner and hold dangerous offenders accountable. Communities should view that as a public safety asset worth supporting.