Washington State Patrol cameras will snap license-plate photos at 2 ferry docks

[kurtyboy]

Source: Seattle Times

The State Patrol has begun testing a camera system at two ferry docks that automatically snaps photographs of license plates and checks the numbers against lists compiled by the FBI.

Then plates of all vehicles driven aboard ferries at Seattle's Colman Dock and the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal are being checked against lists of vehicles that were reported stolen; the subject of an Amber Alert; connected to suspected terrorists; or associated with felony arrest warrants, said Sgt. Trent Cain, spokesman for the State Patrol's Homeland Security division.

If a license plate matches one on the list, an alarm goes off at a State Patrol command center, Cain said. Troopers will then look at the photo to verify a match and then, if necessary, respond to the ferry dock, Cain said. The process could take as little as a minute, Cain said.



Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008056242_ferry17m.html

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I feel safer already...

[Kolesar]

1. If they only served donuts at the ferry dock...

...oh, never mind.

[JackInGreen]

2. Really, safe as a snug bug in a rug

wonder how far away we are from having the same cameras that watch us coming up the gangway check our faces against "current assailent descriptions".

[minnesota_liberal]

4. It's already being developed

Google on the keywords "biometric" and "facial recognition" to find articles.

[jeff30997]

7. It reminds me of that Spielberg movie...

Minority Report.Retinal scans and cameras everywhere. :scared:

[JackInGreen]

8. Already

more than familiar (and more than a little paranoid), I just want to know how long.....so I can stop using the ferry system entirely.

[damntexdem]

14. Just remember to splatter mud on your license.

Better drive through mud and splatter the whole care, so it looks innocent.

[Sherman A1]

3. As much as I hate the camera thing

The license plate is a registration device issued by the state and it is displayed with no expectation of privacy on a vehicle, so I don't like it but cannot find an argument against this.

[Dogtown]

9. Agreed, Sherman A1

There is not an expectation of privacy and this is a lawful search.

There're *many* areas of law enforcement more deserving of the funds, but our masters are obsessed with surveillance and control.

[kay1864]

13. Second agreement, with caveat

I have serious doubts about the accuracy of "terrorist watchlists".

[dipsydoodle]

5. That's how sequential speed cameras

work in Europe. Ticket can be in the post within minutes.

[Historic NY]

6. They have had them for years in police cars here in NY...

its a computer camera that scans and runs plates constantly but it only displays hits or probable hits.


http://www.operationlookout.org/lookoutmag/Scanner_Snaps_Plates.htm

[Phred42]

10. It's been in Illinois on the Toll Roads

Try running through the I-Pass lane w/o the little box. Even at 70 mph they will send you a photo of the rear end of you car clearly showing your plate.....the letter will include a bill with an outrageous fine.

[kay1864]

11. Did you read the OP, or just the title?

This is completely different from "photo tickets".

This is checking license plates against multiple criminal databases. Toll booth photos only send you a ticket based on your DMV record.

[Canuckistanian]

12. This system is used on a Canadian toll highway

You don't even need to slow down getting on the onramp.

And as far as I'm concerned, looking my license plate is not a violation of my privacy.

[High Plains]

15. What happens if you cover your license plates while transiting?

Maybe with a tag that says: "Police State? No, thanks."