A new push is underway at the Port Authority to crack down on both toll evasion and major crime on Staten Island through the use of Automatic License Plate Readers.

"LPRs as license plate readers are the DNA of the highway," said Greg Ehrie, Port Authority’s chief security officer. "It allows us to know what's going on."

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it is installing 40 new state-of-the-art readers at three area bridges on Staten Island, specifically on the Outer Bridge Crossing as well as the Bayonne and Goethals Bridges.

"Taking not only digital images of the license plate itself, but of the car to allow law enforcement to ensure that the license plate is on the right car," said Port Authority of New York and New Jersey President Rick Cotton.

During an announcement at the Goethals Bridge Administration Building on Staten Island Monday, officials said the installation of the technology comes after repeated incidences of car jackings, thefts, home invasions and other crime in the area.

"Now if a car is stolen we have a robust tracking system in place," said Staten Island NYPD Patrol Borough Chief Joseph GulottaIf. "I would say we have that car recovered within a few hours."

Officials said the $10 million project of installing readers is already paying off, citing a reduction of auto thefts in the borough by about 30% so far this year.

"As our NYPD chief said, the arrests have gone up 40% and the thefts themselves have gone down 27%. So it is a very successful program," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.

Critics of the technology worry about invasion of privacy, insisting the readers record every license plate that is scanned, including those of innocent people.

Supporters say the gains outweigh the drawbacks, pointing out that the cameras can also help thwart potential acts of terror at Port Authority crossings.

"From a homeland security standpoint, these license plate readers will prevent, God forbid, future acts of terrorism, anything of that nature,” said state Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.

A number of new NYPD vehicles have also been outfitted with the cameras.

Readers have have already been installed on the Goethals Bridge and are expected to be installed on the Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing by the end of 2026.