The Police Are Scanning You
Have you seen those police cars with huge cameras on the trunk? They’re scanning your license plates.
These automated license plate readers have been a fairly hot topic in Virginia for the past couple of years. The Attorney General even issued an Official Opinion in 2013 regarding their use.
I just ran across a news article that provides insight into how different police departments around Virginia are using this technology. I definitely recommend reading it, especially if you’re concerned about law enforcement gathering data while you carry about your everyday business.
What I find ridiculous is that the Hampton Police Department even admits that they didn’t find a single stolen car in the three years that they used their plate reader. They sold it to the Treasurer’s Department, so they could use it to collect personal property taxes.
The other use I figure we’ll see more of is looking for suspended drivers. And why are many people suspended? Unpaid fines.
These license plate readers aren’t about crime fighting. They’re about money collection.
photo by joebeone
