Update: We talked with Lt. Jim Dobbs about the cameras, which sound pretty cool. The cameras will be mounted on four squad cars' light bars and running nonstop while the cars are on duty. They can be used to track specific license plates and for general surveillance.
Dobbs gave a few examples of how this will be useful:
* The cameras can search for stolen vehicle. If the camera hits on a stolen plate, the system pings the officer so they can recover the car.
* They can also help investigators track down subjects. For example, if someone catches a license plate in an armed robbery, investigators can review the license plate cameras to find out where the suspect was before or after a crime.
* It gives police another tool to track track sexual offenders.
* It also could help spot people who owe significant amounts of money in overdue parking tickets. If these cars are spotted, police can tow them until the fines are paid.
Original post:
If you're on the right side of the law, that can be a good thing. If not ... well, tell it to the judge!Yesterday -- according to a release from Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI -- the U.S. Senate approved Kohl's request for $850,000 for crime prevention projects in Southeastern Wisconsin. Most of the money went to Milwaukee, but Racine could scoop up $100,000 for four license plate recognition cameras.
Here's what the release said about them:
This project will provide the City of Racine with four Automatic License Plate Recognition cameras on police patrol cars. The system will capture digital images of virtually every license plate within view of the patrol car, either moving or stationary.No word on how effective the city's existing crime-fighting cameras have been...
The license plates are then instantaneously compared to a variety of databases. The officer operating the system is immediately notified of any irregularities and may then take appropriate actions.
These cameras will reduce the amount of time officers spend investigating crimes so they can spend more time patrolling Racine streets and neighborhoods. In addition to benefiting the City of Racine, the Racine Police Department regularly participates in multi-jurisdictional law and traffic enforcement projects, so those jurisdictions will benefit from the use of this equipment as well.
The money is in the Senate version of the 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which will now go before the House-Senate conference committee
Big Brother? Are you delivering news or comment?
ReplyDeleteThis is great news! As soon as those cameras spot a suspended registration, the police can give the offender another ticket to ignore. And if he/she is caught driving without a license, then they will face the wrath of even another ticket to ignore.
ReplyDeleteIts all about the Police being able to collect more fees for The City
ReplyDeleteThese graphics crack me up....and freak me out a little at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThis is GREAT! We can't spend enough on equipment for these heroes who put their lives on the line every time they clock into work. Bravo! We will need some OT for training and a few more officers to run these contraptions, too. Put out the help wanted signs.
ReplyDeleteOrbs - be nice, you don't want me to dismiss you do you?
ReplyDeleteI think these cameras are a good idea but unfortunately OrbsCorbs is right. Those who care the least are always in control. Same for loaning people money for a house with bad (or no) credit and no money down - what are you going to do, ruin their credit?
ReplyDeleteCan't catch the taggers? Fine - hit those victimized by taggers with "fees". I am thinking about asking city council for a job as a "tagging consultant" - I wil tag as many homes and businessezs as I can and will get 25% of UNIT's take.
If you have a legally registered car with no outstanding warrants there should be no problem. I would rather the police officer driving his car watch the road not try to read license plates. If technology can keep the officer safe by driving safely while the technology does the checking everyone wins. Except of course the criminals. So really we all win.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say. It is like a robot is doing the job. The officer could take a nap. What is to stop our corrupt officials from using this technology for wrong purposes? Makes sense now but at some point this will be abused. Enemy of the state, Conspiracy theory and all the rest. All someone has to do is put a law biding citizens name on these computerized catch data bases. You cannot fly, drive, buy a newspaper. Kinda scary.
ReplyDeleteReally wish they would target gangs instead of traffic.
We can't have a structure on top of a building because it is unsightly. But those cameras, that will bring the rich tourists. Really makes our city more quaint don't cha think?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stopphotocops.com/ What a waste of 100K. It is already being foiled by criminals.
ReplyDelete> "Those who care the least are always in control."
ReplyDeleteExactly. Laws are enforced on those that are the most likely to comply. Scofflaws are ignored. I was hit twice by uninsured motorists, one unlicensed. Because I comply with the law and have insurance, my premiums doubled, even though I was not at fault in either accident. Meanwhile, both people are still driving - I see them in the hood. They no do not have licenses, but that does not matter in the hood.
What is the point in obeying the law when those who disobey suffer no consequences? My insurance is due again in a couple of weeks. I own no property and my truck is 13 years old. I have zero savings. I am seriously considering running without insurance. I can barely afford it as it is. So what if I get in an accident? Sue me. Take away my license and I can still drive. Catch me and I get a ticket, then released. When the mandatory insurance law goes into effect, I'll get a policy to comply, then cancel it like they do in other states.
I am so damn tired of being punished for obeying the law.
Can someone please explain to me this fetish the Racine Police department has with COP houses and cameras? Both are obviously ineffective given the current crime rates. I don't see others communities pursuing these tactics to fight crime either. Most other area communities are using *real* crime fighting and producing good results. I just don't get this with cameras, playhouses, and now old armored trucks????
ReplyDeleteOrbsCorbs is exactly right. I, too, am getting tired of being punished for obeying the laws, and having to pay additional costs to cover uninsured drivers. This state, like so many others, needs a mandatory insurance law. When I lived in another state, each time I went in to renew my driver's license I had to show proof of insurance before the new license was issued. It should be that way in Wisconsin as well. Instead of increasing the mandatory minimum, as idiot Doyle just did (which was not necessary, by the way), a law should be passed to make insurance mandatory to drive in this state. Then, if someone is stopped and doesn't have insurance, or even worse, involved in an accident without insurance, their license should be suspended, and the car impounded, until they can prove that they have paid for at least 6 months insurance in advance.
ReplyDelete* It gives police another tool to track track sexual offenders
ReplyDeleteNo need for cameras just keep checking City Hall
> "* It also could help spot people who owe significant amounts of money in overdue parking tickets. If these cars are spotted, police can tow them until the fines are paid."
ReplyDeleteHas anyone ever thought of printing out a list of who owes the most and going to their homes to collect it or impound the vehicles? With budgets and money so tight, perhaps we should actually do something to collect the money owed to the city?
How is it that the system can alert the officer if it views the license plate of a stolen vehicle, but that the video would have to be reviewed by people to determine if the same camera viewed a plate involved in a crime?
ReplyDeleteHow many hours will be used reviewing video of taped vehicles in order to reach the objectives of (1) locating people with overdue tickets, (2) tracking sex offenders, (3) locating individuals after a recent crime? How will video review time be allocated within the agency? How many cops will be removed from the street in order to review tapes of previous days/nights?
Orbs - get a job. Why should we care about your finances.
ReplyDeleteOrbs, your 12:33 statement makes perfect sense. When someone's ticket of any type that becomes past due for payment, a red flag should initiate a printout for an officer to go to the home and demand a check payable to the Clerk Of Court or impound the vehicle. Good idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculous. Automatic tickets? I know they do that on the Illinois toll road. Did they cut their police force in half? How are you supposed to face your accuser in court? Not sure if I like where technology is headed. They are making major criminals out of petty crimes and ignoring the gangs and real crime.
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:19, can you say "Big Brother is watching"? Because, with interstate highway cameras, intersection cameras, cameras in recycled armored cars, and more, that's what it's becoming. Oh, they aren't currently being used to spy on individuals, but who knows what the future holds.
ReplyDeleteAs for those automatic cameras on the highways that snap photos of speeding cars, they are usually set to take photos when someone far exceeds the "5 over" mark. I don't think they actually activate until someone hits 11 mph over the posted speed. I don't have too much of a problem with that, particularly in residential areas and high traffic volume business areas.
OrbsCorbs...there is a website where people can check what is owed, not tickets, but warrants owed.
ReplyDeletehttp://keepracinesound.org/racine_sound.html