A system and method for prioritizing a wireless communication to a portable communication device (102). In one example, a sensor (121) includes an electronic processor configured to capture an over-the-air identifier (404_1) of a portable communication device (102), determine a capture parameter based on at least one of a count of a number of times of capturing the over-the-air identifier and a last time of capturing the over-the-air identifier of the portable communication device (102), assign a priority level (414_1) to the portable communication device (102) based on the capture parameter, and prioritize the wireless communication between the sensor and the portable communication device (102) based on the priority level (414_1) assigned to the portable communication device (102).