We could all be tracked, Cops test license-plate cameras that store, trace data

[G_j]

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=122350294579016400

We could all be tracked
Cops test license-plate cameras that store, trace data
By Jim Redden
The Portland Tribune, Oct 9, 2008 (15 Reader comments)

Portland police are testing a high-tech camera system that rivals anything in a science fiction movie.

It can reach back in time and track your movements across the city — and even produce photos of your previous locations.

But — while some are raising Big Brother civil liberties questions about the concept — the police promise they will only use it to solve crimes, like finding stolen cars or locating wanted criminals.

The system features a series of cameras that mount on patrol cars that automatically read and photograph the license plates of all passing vehicles — including those parked along the sides of the streets. Plates of stolen and suspect-linked vehicles trigger an alarm, allowing the officers to immediately locate them.

The camera also is hooked into a computer that records the exact time and location where each plate was photographed, allowing the police to later map its previous locations around town.

..more..

[grannie4peace]

1. that is scary as hell!

[nc4bo]

2. "The Plan" marches forward. nt

:tinfoilhat:

[conscious evolution]

3. Atlanta has been testing them.

A cop told me that they are only being used to check for insurance violations.
Yeah.Right.
Fortunately,they all have seem to disappeared.Maybe sanity prevailed and they decided to not use them here.

[smiley_glad_hands]

4. Police can already do this manually.

Don't what to think about this new program though.

[dhpgetsit]

5. Some cops have cameras on their cars

That automatically run the plates of the cars they see. All the cop has to do is drive around in traffic, no need to radio in the tag numbers. They alert the cops to stolen tags. But there is no end to the abuses they could be put to.

[mwooldri]

6. Already there. London's Congestion Charge is number-plate based. nt

[G_j]

7. seems like you folks are ahead of us

in this respect. You only have to hope the powers that be are benign.
:think:

[Irish Girl]

8. what ze fark?

At what point do Americans scream, "Enough is enough" ?

[Canuckistanian]

9. This is an old technology

We have a toll highway near Toronto that uses the camera system. It tracks your plate as you get on the ramp.

You don't even have to slow down and it NEVER misses you.

There were some attempts to market special clear license plate covers that attempted to conceal your tag number.

It didn't work.