Florida Town to Use Surveillance Cameras (On Everyone)

The Associated Press via ABC ^ | 4-27-2004 | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

MANALAPAN, Fla. April 27 ? One of the nation's wealthiest towns will soon have cameras and computers running background checks on every car and driver that passes through.

Police Chief Clay Walker said cameras will take infrared photos recording a car's tag number, then software will automatically run the numbers through law enforcement databases. A 911 dispatcher is alerted if the car is stolen or is the subject of a "be on the lookout" warning.

[vannrox]

Big Brother

[FreedomFlynnie]

There's a town to never, ever visit.

[RightWhale]

Another thread. Public lands, and you are not the public.

[gcruse]

Everyone in America is on probation. If you can go to town and come home without violating some law, the terrorists have already won.

[justlurking]

From the article:

Next to the tag number, police will have a picture of the driver, taken with another set of cameras upgraded versions of the standard surveillance cameras already in place.

If there is a robbery, police will be able to comb records to determine who drove through town on a given afternoon or evening.

This will end the first time they harass innocent people that happened to be visiting or passing through during that interval.

It's likely they will ensnare a competent attorney -- who will acquire many pounds of flesh from the town's collective backside, just to set an example.

[Modernman]

Police Chief Clay Walker said cameras will take infrared photos recording a car's tag number, then software will automatically run the numbers through law enforcement databases. A 911 dispatcher is alerted if the car is stolen or is the subject of a "be on the lookout" warning.

I don't see a problem with this part of it.

[OpusatFR]

You don't have privacy in the public sphere but this:

" Still, Walker says Manalapan's data will be destroyed every three months."

Ain't gonna happen...ever. Once the data is there it will be there forever.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Discussed here. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1125293/posts

[Blood of Tyrants]

And a very rich town it is.

[tuvals]

I think it would be interesting to search the net for a device to cover your plate with so it can be penetrated and read. After all, there is a way around everything. Do the words radar detector come to mind, scramblers, etc. Gee, based on the outdated computer systems our government is using it will probably take them years to get a response back. It does amaze me that someone came up with this idea and once in the system you are there forever. I think we as a nation should protect our borders and not worry about a town in Florida checking plate numbers but then again that would take a major government effort and multiple committees to do a study.... I'm all for safety and protection but I think this crosses the line. Well, that's my opinion.

[Redbob]

Sounds like it's time for the "Phanton Plate!"

[cavtrooper21]

Sort of like those firearm purchase background checks....
If you think the gubmint is going to trash those either...

[cavtrooper21]

Sort of like those firearm purchase background checks....
If you think the gubmint is going to trash those either...

[backhoe]

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[onedoug]

Thank you for your service.

I wish the police in LA were a fraction as proactive.

[Redbob]

I'm betting that, instead of comparing plates and faces to criminal databases, Manalapan is comparing them to lists of known residents.

If you're not on the list, you'll be escorted to the city limits.

[Paleo Conservative]

Sounds like it's time for the "Phanton Plate!"

Those are illegal in Texas. I don't know about other states.

[Only1choice____Freedom]

No, it sounds like a town everybody and their bother needs to visit at least twice - with rental cars. Overload their system and they won't be able to afford the constant searches. They'd have to actually have to do some police work instead of waiting for the computer to send up a flag.

[FierceDraka]

Another reason for me to never, ever set foot in the State of Florida again.

What is it about that state that seems to bring out the mad-dogs of government? Florida is actually more like a banana republic that just happens to fly Old Glory over its statehouse.

(Speaking as someone who used to work in Florida government as a consultant>