Monica Hicks was driving with her five children on Saturday night when someone fired bullets into her vehicle, killing her precious 5–year-old daughter, Zah’layah Walter. Our detectives followed the evidence, which included information from automated license plate readers, and within 24 hours identified and arrested a suspect who’s now charged with capital murder. The tragedy brings to mind another Harris County mother, LaPorsha Washington, who lost her beloved 7-year-old daughter, Jazmine Barnes, in 2018. LaPorsha was diving with her children on a Sunday morning when gunfire from another vehicle claimed Jazmine’s life. That was before we had today’s network of automated license plate readers. Jazmine’s case required an intense, around-the-clock investigation, with detectives pursuing lead after lead until a critical tip helped break the case about a week later. Sadly, other families who have lost loved ones to roadway violence are still waiting for answers. Technology cannot replace good police work, but tools like license plate readers can give investigators valuable information when every minute matters. With that capability comes responsibility. Powerful technology must be used judiciously, with appropriate safeguards and accountability, if we are to maintain the public’s trust. We owe that to our community. And we owe it to children like Jazmine and now Zah’layah to use every lawful and responsible tool available to identify those responsible for violence and bring them to justice. (Photos of Jazmine & Zah’layah)