SAN ANTONIO – You might notice some new features at stores and shopping centers around the city: automatic license plate readers…

The automatic license plate readers, or ALPRs, were installed back in July as part of a pilot program through Brookfield Properties, the company that owns The Shops at La Cantera.

Here’s how they work:

The cameras capture the license plate of every car that comes and goes, but only a few get flagged.

If your car is associated with previous thefts, a missing person, or other alerts, security is notified…

By using this technology, security will be alerted before known thieves even get in the doors, which could be a gamechanger as we’re seeing those types of crimes spike.

“It’s something that large and small retailers across the country are seeing,” said Holly Beilin with Flock Safety, the company that makes these cameras. “And it’s causing a lot of shrinkage for retail customers. It’s really, really cutting into profits.”