Department of Homeland Security cancels national license-plate tracking plan

[DonViejo]

Source: Washington Post

By Ellen Nakashima and Josh Hicks, Updated: Wednesday, February 19, 5:33 PM

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of a plan by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to develop a national license-plate tracking system after privacy advocates raised concern about the initiative.

The order came just days after ICE solicited proposals from companies to compile a database of license-plate information from commercial and law enforcement tag readers. Officials said the database was intended to help apprehend fugitive illegal immigrants, but the plan raised concerns that the movements of ordinary citizens under no criminal suspicion could be scrutinized.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/dhs-cancels-national-license-plate-tracking-plan/2014/02/19/a4c3ef2e-99b4-11e3-b931-0204122c514b_story.html?wpisrc=al_comboPN

[Scuba]

1. "Don't need it", said a spokesman. "Turns out we have another, more expensive, way."

[grasswire]

3. I remember when that Total Information project was "cancelled" too. nt

[Mojorabbit]

4. This ^^ nt

[BumRushDaShow]

2. K&R

Probably won't be too many replies in here given the earlier report that attracted the usual crowd.

Thank you Jeh!

[packman]

5. I'll be the boxing bag for this

Why isn't there a national driver's license? Each state issuing a driver's license that is applicable in EVERY state seems to be ass backwards. Also, why isn't there a national license plate system? Hell, in Florida you can get plates with oranges,fish,rockets, and God knows what else on them. Yes, it's a money maker for the state, but bewildering I'm sure to the person trying to ID a state plate for one reason or another. I grew up in Pennsylvania when there was one plate - blue and yellow - and you could look at a plate and immediately know what state it was from. Today, forget it.

[justabob]

7. I go back and forth on national licenses and plates

I generally do not like that much info compiled in one place, and under one authority. That is a losing battle these days the way data is hoovered up, and one I am sure someone will tell me I need to get over. To your other comment about the multitude of plate varieties available.... I can't believe law enforcement doesn't complain about them. I hate them. Like you said, it is money for the state and some of them benefit charities, but I think its a horrible idea. I too like the old days... black on white or white on black (whatever your state's colors) stamped digits, and maybe the state motto. No muss, no fuss, easily identified.

[Angleae]

8. Because states can't tax and/or regulate a national system.

[freshwest]

9. Because Big Brother? I'd like a national voter's ID for federal elections. Ain't happening. And...

regarding DHS dropping this, how do we know they did?

[blkmusclmachine]

6. DHS can use its stoplight cameras to track autos going thru intersections, coast to coast,

They also have surveillance cameras rigged up every quarter mile along the highways and toll roads in every metro area. Plenty of ways to track citizens daily comings-and-goings.