Pro/Con: License Plate Readers

Pro

On March 1, the San Diego Police Department proposed installing 500 new Smart Streetlights, equipped with automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, around San Diego for the security and protection of its citizens. Automated license plate readers capture the license plates of passing cars for law enforcement and alert investigators to vehicles in their system that are connected with crimes. This technology in San Diego will greatly strengthen San Diego’s police force, especially benefiting investigations, without invading citizens’ privacy.

Firstly, the readers will provide an extraordinarily helpful tool to our currently short-staffed police department in investigating more serious cases. Cases that involve missing persons, human trafficking, exploitation of children and narcotics trafficking will all be easier to investigate and solve. The license plate reader system would automatically compare scanned license plates with other databases containing the license plates of vehicles connected to crimes. If a match is found, the technology immediately notifies police that a wanted car was detected and at what time and location. The police will also be able to create a “watch list” of suspect vehicles as crimes happen in real time, allowing law enforcement to be alerted to any vehicle associated with a crime in San Diego, no matter

how recently the crime occurred.
One of the major concerns surrounding the integration of the technology is that it may be an invasion of the public’s privacy. A clear understanding of how this technology works and will be used, however, says otherwise. It is important to note that there is no facial recognition technology included in the readers; they can only scan the license plates of passing cars. Although the readers do upload all of the license plates to a database, only the ones that match other databases for wanted cars or cars that are connected with crimes set off an alert. If the data is not used to aid in law enforcement endeavors, it will be deleted in 30 days, according

to the Los Angeles Times.
Counter to beliefs that the license

plate database is easily accessible or not secure, only select people and departments have access to the data. For the San Diego Police to have permission to access the technology, they are required to follow specific procedures outlined in two new ordinances created by the city, called the Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST). One of them established a Privacy Advisory Board “to offer advice in hopes of ensuring transparency, accountability and public debate,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

In addition, only “law enforcement personnel that have an official purpose for accessing … a criminal case or incident number/name, [and] a lawful purpose with a need and right to know the information” can access the data, according to the police department’s proposed plan on California ALPR FAQs.

A survey by the La Jolla Light found 42% of respondents would feel safer if SDPD used automated license plate readers. Only 13% of respondents said that they would feel less safe.

This technology will work wonders for the security of San Diego, and all those who live in it.

Con

Within the next few months, there is a very high chance that the San Diego Police Department will have eyes everywhere. In early March, the police department proposed a plan to install 500 surveillance cameras on street lights around the entire city that would be able to read the license plates of passing cars and store information about when and where they passed the readers. These camera systems will invade San Diegans’ privacy and have historically been proven to collect minimal amounts of data that could actually aid law enforcement in solving crimes. They should not be installed on the streets of San Diego.

For many, this new technology seems like a major invasion of privacy. The license plate readers have the ability to track one’s car at any point in time if driving within the areas where the cameras are set up. The information gathered by the readers will be stored in a database that the state government has the ability to access. While this data is intended to be used to aid the police department in solving crimes, the fact that the readers will be collecting information about any vehicle on public roads raises ethical concerns about the technology. Even though the cameras will not be collecting civilians’ names and faces, they are collecting something equally personal: location data. This data can tell police where specific cars were at certain times and thus map out their everyday routines. The location information of San Diegans should not be so easily available to police officers.

Some argue that installing license plate readers will benefit our community. For one, the readers will aid police in much more easily finding wanted vehicles associated with missing-person cases and other crimes. As scanned license plates are fed into the police’s database, they are automatically compared with other law enforcement databases that contain lists of license plates connected with crimes. If there is a match, local

ART BY KATIE MCVEIGH

By Ellie Koff

STAFF WRITER

officers are alerted.
But while the license plate

recognition technology may seem like an effective way to drastically reduce crime rates and easily catch criminals, the results of previous attempts at implementing this technology reflect a different outcome. In Escondido, the readers were set up to solve crimes, but according to KPBS, only 0.9% of the license plates the cameras read ended up actually aiding the police in investigating crimes. According to the Union-Tribune, Chula Vista’s license plate reader system reported 293,599 records in 2021, but only 170 of those records were useful to the police. The sole purpose of installing surveillance cameras in our county would be to help the police solve crimes more efficiently. At a cost of $4 million to install the cameras, according to the La Jolla Light, the technology is anything but cost efficient, especially when recorded data on thousands of civilians’ whereabouts are collected without good reason.

The proposed license plate reader system does not accomplish its purported purpose. We should not set up the readers on the streets of San Diego and subject innocent private citizens to invasions of their privacy by potentially tracking their whereabouts. We should instead continue to have law enforcement protect the public in the same way that has worked for many years.

Read on Issuu.

266 thoughts on “Pro/Con: License Plate Readers

  1. Hi there, yup this article is in fact pleasant and I
    have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging.
    thanks.

  2. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I found this during my search for something regarding this.

  3. You have made some really good points there. I checked on the net to find out more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.

  4. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be useful to read through articles from other writers and practice a little something from other web sites.

  5. You made some decent points there. I checked on the internet to find out more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

  6. This website really has all of the information I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

  7. After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there a way you can remove me from that service? Many thanks.

  8. Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up plus the rest of the website is really good.

  9. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site. I really hope to view the same high-grade content from you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own website now 😉

  10. You are so cool! I do not believe I have read through a single thing like that before. So good to find another person with some unique thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a little originality.

  11. Hi there! This post could not be written much better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this post to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  12. I blog often and I genuinely appreciate your information. The article has really peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

  13. Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t fail me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I really believed you’d have something helpful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you could fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.

  14. You’re so interesting! I don’t suppose I have read through something like that before. So nice to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  15. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I came across this in my hunt for something relating to this.

  16. I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.

  17. I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your content. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your Feed as well.

  18. You should be a part of a contest for one of the best sites on the internet. I most certainly will highly recommend this site!

  19. I really love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you create this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my very own blog and would like to know where you got this from or what the theme is called. Appreciate it.

  20. I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly enjoyed every bit of it. I have you book-marked to check out new stuff you post…

  21. Having read this I thought it was really enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it.

  22. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I found this during my search for something relating to this.

  23. Greetings, I believe your website may be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, excellent blog!

  24. After I initially commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks.

  25. May I just say what a comfort to find an individual who truly understands what they’re talking about on the internet. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people have to read this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular since you certainly possess the gift.

  26. Having read this I believed it was very informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  27. Your style is unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this blog.

  28. Can I just say what a comfort to uncover someone who really understands what they are discussing on the web. You actually know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people must check this out and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you are not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.

  29. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However I am encountering issues with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!

  30. Hi there! This post could not be written any better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

  31. When I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot.

  32. You’re so cool! I don’t think I’ve truly read through something like that before. So wonderful to find another person with a few unique thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality.

  33. You’re so cool! I do not believe I’ve truly read anything like this before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web, someone with some originality.

  34. Hello, I think your site may be having internet browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, excellent site.

  35. When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Is there an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it.

  36. After I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it.

  37. Hello there, There’s no doubt that your site may be having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, great website!

  38. I seriously love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my very own website and would love to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Many thanks.

  39. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who was conducting a little homework on this. And he actually bought me dinner simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this subject here on your website.

  40. Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  41. I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website. I am hoping to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own blog now 😉

  42. I was excited to uncover this website. I need to to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!! I definitely liked every bit of it and i also have you book-marked to see new information on your website.

  43. Hello there! I simply wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for the great information you’ve got here on this post. I will be returning to your website for more soon.

  44. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit once again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  45. I seriously love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own website and would love to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Kudos!

  46. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which not enough people are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this during my search for something regarding this.

  47. Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a top notch article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.

  48. Hello, I think your website could possibly be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, wonderful website!

  49. Hi there! This article couldn’t be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept talking about this. I am going to forward this article to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!

  50. This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read article.

  51. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my hunt for something relating to this.

  52. May I simply just say what a relief to find somebody that really understands what they are discussing on the internet. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people have to check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular since you surely have the gift.

  53. Howdy! This post could not be written much better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I’ll send this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  54. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you should write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t talk about these topics. To the next! All the best!

  55. You’re so interesting! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like this before. So good to discover somebody with genuine thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is required on the web, someone with a little originality.

  56. Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  57. I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark your site and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.

  58. You are so cool! I don’t believe I’ve read a single thing like this before. So good to find another person with a few original thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality.

  59. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else getting identical RSS issues? Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  60. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  61. Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this short article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  62. After looking at a few of the articles on your blog, I truly appreciate your way of writing a blog. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website as well and let me know how you feel.

  63. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across this during my hunt for something relating to this.

  64. Right here is the perfect web site for everyone who really wants to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject which has been written about for years. Great stuff, just wonderful.

  65. I blog often and I seriously appreciate your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.

  66. Your style is so unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.

  67. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me lunch due to the fact that I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this matter here on your internet site.

  68. Having read this I thought it was extremely informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  69. For years, I have actually fought uncertain blood sugar swings that left me really feeling drained and sluggish.

    But because incorporating Sugar my energy levels are currently secure and consistent,
    and I no more hit a wall in the afternoons.
    I value that it’s a gentle, all-natural strategy that does not featured any
    undesirable side effects. It’s really transformed my daily life.

  70. Incorporating Sugar Defender into my everyday routine has been a game-changer for my
    overall well-being. As a person who currently prioritizes healthy and
    balanced consuming, this supplement has given an included increase of protection. in my
    energy levels, and my wish for unhealthy treats so uncomplicated can have
    such a profound effect on my every day life.

  71. Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after looking at some of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

  72. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you, However I am going through troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anybody having identical RSS issues? Anybody who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks.

  73. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been doing a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your website.

  74. After looking at a handful of the blog articles on your website, I seriously appreciate your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my website as well and tell me how you feel.

  75. Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not disappoint me as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I genuinely thought you would probably have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  76. I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now 😉

  77. You’re so cool! I do not believe I have read a single thing like this before. So great to find somebody with some original thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality.

  78. Can I simply say what a comfort to find a person that truly knows what they are talking about over the internet. You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people ought to read this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular given that you certainly possess the gift.

  79. I really love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you make this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own blog and want to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Thank you!

  80. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after looking at many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often.

  81. Hi, I do believe this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to come back once again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  82. sugar defender official website For several years,
    I have actually fought unforeseeable blood sugar level
    swings that left me really feeling drained pipes and tired.

    But considering that integrating Sugar Protector right into my regular, I have actually seen a considerable renovation in my general energy and security.
    The feared mid-day distant memory, and I appreciate
    that this natural solution attains these results with no
    unpleasant or unfavorable reactions. truthfully
    been a transformative exploration for me.

  83. Howdy! I simply would like to offer you a huge thumbs up for your excellent info you have got here on this post. I will be returning to your web site for more soon.

  84. After looking at a few of the blog articles on your web site, I honestly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my web site as well and tell me how you feel.

  85. I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I found this during my hunt for something concerning this.

  86. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this matter here on your internet site.

  87. I truly love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you make this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own site and want to find out where you got this from or what the theme is named. Appreciate it.

  88. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy that I came across this in my search for something relating to this.

  89. I absolutely love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you develop this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my very own site and would love to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Many thanks!

  90. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to revisit once again since i have book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  91. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this topic here on your internet site.

  92. May I simply say what a relief to discover someone that really knows what they’re discussing over the internet. You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people have to look at this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.

  93. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  94. I needed to thank you for this great read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have got you bookmarked to look at new things you post…

  95. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site. I really hope to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal blog now 😉

  96. You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality websites on the net. I will recommend this site!

  97. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who was conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this issue here on your site.

  98. Hi there! This article couldn’t be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!

  99. Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It’s the little changes which will make the most significant changes. Many thanks for sharing!

  100. You have made some really good points there. I checked on the net for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous post Women’s History Month needs a new perspective
Next post Personal Perspective: Dixie Wallerius