Poll:
Do you think law enforcement should use license plate cameras for surveillance purposes?
SAN ANTONIO -- Automatic license plate readers have become one of most popular crime-fighting tools in Texas.
These tiny cameras mounted on top of patrol cars are designed to scan thousands of license plates, instantly alerting officers of stolen vehicles and wanted fugitives.
However, some Texas police departments have found new ways to put these cameras to use that has more than just crooks concerned.
"It goes beyond the stolen vehicles," said Highland Village Police Captain Corry Blount. "There's really no limit to what they can do.”
Like most departments that have the license plate cameras, the Highland Village Police Department uses them while on patrol. However, Blount said it is what he does at the end of his shift with the information collected by these automatic license plate readers that sets his department apart, and that could revolutionize law enforcement.
Every license plate picture taken, along with the information the camera collected on where and when the picture was taken, is downloaded into a database.
Currently, the Highland Village Police Department’s database contains more than 700,000 hits.
This database, Blount said, has become his department's new primary tool for investigations.
By sorting and plotting the information on maps, Blount said his department has used the database to monitor suspected drug houses, track sex-offenders, and solve burglary cases.
"We are always finding new ways to use it," Blount said. "Really, it's as good as the information you put into it."
However, some have expressed concern about the use of these cameras for surveillance purposes.
"If you are a law-abiding citizen there should not be a record kept of your travels," said Texas American Civil Liberties Union spokesperson Jose Medina.
This is why the Texas ACLU is urging state lawmakers to limit the use of these cameras.
"Anybody in this country is entitled to privacy, and we feel that these license plate readers are a violation of that right," said Medina.
Blount said he understands the concern but defends his department’s use of the cameras.
"Is the ability there to track where your car went at a certain time – sure," explained Blount. “But I think there is a greater good in that we are able to locate your stolen car or the guy that broke into your house."
Blount agrees with the ACLU that as more and more information is collected by these cameras, some state guidelines will be needed because it appears there's no slowing down the possibilities.
