Scanning plates

A growing number of cities (including L.A.) are turning to sophisticated license plate readers that can scan 1,000 plates an hour. The Times' Ron Lin reported last month that an LAPD system has resulted in an increase in stolen car recoveries in the Valley (the cameras speed up the work of checking plates, which up to now officers had to manually check by radio). Now West Covina and Baldwin Park are joining in:

The camera can scan license plates and compare them to a database that contains the plates of stolen and wanted vehicles as well as those listed in Amber Alerts, said West Covina officials said.

What do you think about this system? Hit COMMENT and speak out!

Comments

[That Darn Republican]

You're exactly right... these liberals in this state warm the heart with topical stories about some great tech based or simple increase in fines or increased imprisonment will benefit us... in the end they get the money and we get screwed. This just quates to systemic overeach by the state to more balanced minds. They aren't fooling anyone... but one day these nutters out here electing this idiots will wake up and see the error in their ways.

[RB]

I'm holding out hope that this system finds my truck that was stolen a couple of weeks ago.

[William Isenberg]

Sounds like a great idea for spotting stolen cars, etc. However, if misused, the database could easily turn into Big Brother, tracking where people go day and night.