# More scrutiny: Law enforcement tracks your license plate **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 19, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974 "2013-07-19T20:26:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/1 "2013-07-19T20:26:08Z")
One more way you’re being scrutinized by the Government: Many police departments and other law enforcement [scan](http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/license-plate-cameras-track-millions-of-americans/2013/07/17/40410cd0-ee47-11e2-bed3-b9b6fe264871_story.html) license plates going by on the street and record them into a database, to build a record of any particular car’s movements. It’s all perfectly legal, I’m sure, but a bit disconcerting and not something that many people would necessarily be aware of. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/2 "2013-07-19T21:00:32Z")
The better your databases get, the more tempting (and possible) it is to do something _more_ with the data. What do you think is next - maybe routinely correlating facial recognition with surveillance cameras? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/3 "2013-07-19T21:20:56Z")
I figure it’s only a matter of time before they link those radar-gun roadside devices, which currently just tell you to slow down, with a system to automatically mail you a speeding ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/4 "2013-07-19T21:32:25Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I figure it’s only a matter of time before they link those radar-gun roadside devices, which currently just tell you to slow down, with a system to automatically mail you a speeding ticket. Speed cameras are already being used in some places. ---
**Author:** ![jsquire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@jsquire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsquire)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/5 "2013-07-20T02:21:26Z")
Two thoughts: 1. This is Stasi-like behavior and totally unacceptable in a free society. 2. I must have the most boring vehicle movement profile of all time. Work, workout, home. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/6 "2013-07-20T02:48:34Z")
I’m fine with this. The possibility that I would reasonably want to be off the cops’ radar by having an unlisted vehicle is outweighed by the more likely prospect that my car gets stolen and I have to track it. Besides, where am I going that I don’t want cops to know? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/7 "2013-07-20T03:13:50Z")
The thing about all these new surveillance technologies and so-called “invasion of privacy” laws is that they really do succeed in reducing crime. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/8 "2013-07-20T03:23:08Z")
> [@jsquire](#): > > 1. I must have the most boring vehicle movement profile of all time. Work, workout, home. You should take my girlfriend shopping some time. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/9 "2013-07-20T05:25:24Z")
George Orwell was only wrong in the year! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/10 "2013-07-20T05:42:33Z")
Great Antibob and grude have already had to flee the country for exposing the Post Offices’s abuse of our civil rights, now Tom will have to join them. Hope they have some decent food at that airport in Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/11 "2013-07-20T06:33:23Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > The thing about all these new surveillance technologies and so-called “invasion of privacy” laws is that they really do succeed in reducing crime. Yes, but they also succeed in invading our privacy. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/12 "2013-07-20T06:46:15Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Yes, but they also succeed in invading our privacy. How can ones privacy possibly be invaded by tracking one’s movements _in public_? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/13 "2013-07-20T06:57:23Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Yes, but they also succeed in invading our privacy. But if it doesn’t directly affect you as it goes on, what’s the big deal really? People are more upset about the idea than the actual. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/14 "2013-07-20T07:09:40Z")
I don’t have a car, so neener neener, neener. They’ll never find me. This gets a big “meh” from me. I’m on camera at work, which is fine when I’m one-on-one with a belligerent client in an exam room. I’ve also been fingerprinted with the FBI from my job at a bank, been credit checked, and have my mug on video every time I take the CTA. Fine with me, they have the mug of the fucker who bothers me, too. And likely the ensuing pepper spraying that happens if said fucker keeps fucking with me. Take all the video and pics you want. Just don’t complain when you catch me picking my nose. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/15 "2013-07-20T13:09:55Z")
Cameras tracking license plates? Skip the middle man and just [track](http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/07/18/california-may-issue-digital-license-plates-privacy-groups-concerned/) the plates themselves! They can also display ads! What I really love is the corporate/government glurge about “saving money” on registration tags. These plates are much more expensive than a lifetime of tags. Plus they are exposed to weather, road debris, vibration, etc. So they aren’t going to last long and have to be replaced quite frequently. Sounds suspiciously like something is being given under the table. The thing to keep in mind about government invading your privacy, is that the government isn’t a “thing”. It’s a group of people. People who will break the rules, screw up, etc. And your private data can then end up in the hands of people who can really cause problems. The bigger the computerized database, the bigger the problem. Also, as far as license plate cameras go, these are far from perfect. Thousands of people each year are sent tickets each year for running red lights, speeding, avoiding tolls, etc. when the camera clearly shows a different car. Fighting these tickets is expensive if it’s possible to do at all. Having these kind of mistakes happen when a serious crime is involved is going to make a lot of people’s lives a nightmare. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/16 "2013-07-20T13:27:11Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Yes, but they also succeed in invading our privacy. No they are not. Tracking your movements in public does not invade your privacy. I’m OK with this. I’m not a criminal so I have nothing to hide. While there is plenty I don’t like about our government, I don’t believe they are sitting around twirling their mustaches plotting against me. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/17 "2013-07-20T13:37:56Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > No they are not. Tracking your movements in public does not invade your privacy. > > I’m OK with this. I’m not a criminal so I have nothing to hide. Cool. What is your full name, address, position and place of employment? Please also list your make and model of vehicle and any places you have driven in the last week other than your home or work. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/18 "2013-07-20T13:40:52Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Cool. What is your full name, address, position and place of employment? Please also list your make and model of vehicle and any places you have driven in the last week other than your home or work. And what might your badge number be? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/19 "2013-07-20T13:53:21Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > And what might your badge number be? I am not a LEO but my younger brother is (Federal). I can get him to sign in and ask if that will help speed matters along. It don’t think that should be necessary though because the data in the databases in question can be seen by people who are not officers either such as lots of people in the companies they contract with to provide the equipment and software. All of you that ‘don’t have anything to hide’ please respond to the questions honestly so that we can all learn that there is nothing to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974/20 "2013-07-20T14:00:02Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I am not a LEO but my younger brother is (Federal). I can get him to sign in and ask if that will help speed matters along. It don’t think that should be necessary though because the data in the databases in question can be seen by people who are not officers either such as lots of people in the companies they contract with to provide the equipment and software. > > All of you that ‘don’t have anything to hide’ please respond to the questions honestly so that we can all learn that there is nothing to worry about. So get one of those jobs then. The fact that the government has the authority and ability to do such things does not mean that I’m under any obligation to provide them to you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-scrutiny-law-enforcement-tracks-your-license-plate/663974.md?page=2)