JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson police are upgrading their video surveillance gear.

The Jackson City Council approved 16 new license plate readers for the Jackson Police Department (JPD).

Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said the readers will help crack down on auto thefts across the city. Wade said the new technology will provide an extra set of eyes for JPD.

“We’ve only had two to this whole entire time at the Jackson Police Department, and we’re looking at purchasing around 15 to 16 of these. They’re going to be a very strategic locations across the City of Jackson that we’ve had a high propensity of auto thefts and carjackings, so we can help our citizens. We know that we’ve got to use technology as a force multiplier,” he said.

The cameras are expected to roll out in the coming months.