Were you aware of the Automated License Plate Recognition in Henderson, NV that is now being utilized by the Henderson Police?
Do you even know what that really means?
Automated License Plate Recognition, better known by it’s abbreviation ACLR is a high tech piece of technology that works around the clock. It can scan hundred of license of plates per minute on both moving vehicles and parked vehicles.
The system uses four digital cameras to photograph the license plates of cars and then run those plates against a criminal database of stolen vehicles.
In moments, officer driving an ACLR outfitted car can receive alerts.
This technology doesn’t come cheap. It cost $160,000, paid for by a grant, to outfit the 9 patrol cars that the city of Henderson is using.
The ability for law enforcement to utilize that type of information can help locate stolen vehicles and track criminals overall seems to be a great thing. Right?
In fact, the Automated License Plate Recognition in Henderson, NV resulted in an arrest for Henderson Police shortly after they began using the system.
By all accounts the Automated License Plate Recognition appears to offer communities some great benefits to help them apprehend car thieves as well as criminals which only helps to make our communities safer.
So what’s the problem then?
The million dollar question is does the Automated License Plate Recognition violate your privacy?
It very well might.
Last year, Officer Zane Simpson with the Henderson Police Department told Fox 5 Vegas,
We’re out recovering stolen cars. That’s what we want to do. If your car got stolen, you’d want to recover it. I’m not going to do anything the with the information it’s obtaining.
Others are not so sure.
The ACLU Nevada points out that the ALPR systems are used to collect and store information not only on people suspected of crimes, but on every single motorist.
This information can be routinely collected and stored, even for years.
The ACLU also says that local and federal law enforcement agencies are rapidly building systems for pooling stored license plate location information across jurisdictions and regions and if left unchecked, we will eventually see the construction of a national database.
Is that what you want?
Is it the the business of law enforcement to know shere you shop, where you ear or where you socialize?
Will these tracking devices be installed in other places such as light poles?
Will others arms of the government want access to this information to and use their power of subpoena’s to obtain it?
The ACLU is exploring this and more in the hopes of protecting our freedoms.
To make your voice known, please visit the ACLU Nevada website.