rdret1
09-15-2011, 14:44
Unfortunantly, I cannot post the link as you have to be a subscriber to see it. Today's Wilson Daily Times ran an article about the Wilson County Sheriff's Department getting a couple of new gadgets called "Automated License Plate Recognition Technology". According to the paper, it can spot and single out delinquent tags with an infrared beam. It can scan stationary or moving vehicles, even going in the opposite direction, within a 12' beam and automatically let the officer know if the plates are still valid.
As a LEO, I have no problem with this type of technology for this purpose. What I do have a problem with is the main focus of the story. The technology also can indicate whether the vehicle owner has paid the taxes on the car or not. Quoted from the paper, "But also the tax office is very excited about the opportunity to utilize this software, with the added benefit of recognizing registered motor vehicles with expired and/or unpaid taxes." "He (Randy Faircloth, Wilson County Tax Administrator) said the new system would make tax collection more efficient and effective."
The software will cost the county $36K. According to Faircloth, more than $800K in unpaid taxes go uncollected each year. This from a small county with a little over 81,000 population.
Apparently, the system will be able to interface with NCIC and recognize stolen plates, plates associated with Amber Alerts, etc. If someone can provide a partial tag, it will pull up all candidates and provide a picture of the vehicle the plates are assigned to.
Right now, there will only be two SO cars equipped with the ALPR system, but it is causing quite the controversy here in the old "Tobacco Capital" of the nation. I can see where it would be very beneficial to law enforcement for legitimate LAW ENFORCEMENT purposes. As referenced by our "esteemed" tax administrator, I can also see the very REAL potential for governmental intrusion and abuse. Technology is not always a GOOD thing.
As a LEO, I have no problem with this type of technology for this purpose. What I do have a problem with is the main focus of the story. The technology also can indicate whether the vehicle owner has paid the taxes on the car or not. Quoted from the paper, "But also the tax office is very excited about the opportunity to utilize this software, with the added benefit of recognizing registered motor vehicles with expired and/or unpaid taxes." "He (Randy Faircloth, Wilson County Tax Administrator) said the new system would make tax collection more efficient and effective."
The software will cost the county $36K. According to Faircloth, more than $800K in unpaid taxes go uncollected each year. This from a small county with a little over 81,000 population.
Apparently, the system will be able to interface with NCIC and recognize stolen plates, plates associated with Amber Alerts, etc. If someone can provide a partial tag, it will pull up all candidates and provide a picture of the vehicle the plates are assigned to.
Right now, there will only be two SO cars equipped with the ALPR system, but it is causing quite the controversy here in the old "Tobacco Capital" of the nation. I can see where it would be very beneficial to law enforcement for legitimate LAW ENFORCEMENT purposes. As referenced by our "esteemed" tax administrator, I can also see the very REAL potential for governmental intrusion and abuse. Technology is not always a GOOD thing.