Another "Big Brother" Example: Automatic License Plate Recognition Devices

[Photo from Wikipedia]

Look, I am not a conspiracy theorist!  And I don't go looking for violations of our freedom and privacy rights under every rock.  I am simply an Augusta, Georgia criminal lawyer, and former federal prosecutor, who enjoys practicing law with my son and blogging about criminal law. 

But, in my opinion, every freedom loving citizen should be concerned about how new technology is affecting our freedom and privacy rights.  In some ways, we are already past George Orwell's 1984.  We have discussed in this blog a number of the ways in which the government is already tracking our every move.  But have you heard about the latest method of collecting data about your movements?  

It is called the Automatic License Plate Recognition device, (or "ALPR").  In other countries around the world where this technology is already being used, it is commonly referred to as the Automatic Number Plate Recognition device, (or "ANPR," for short).  Different names, but same scary device!

Simply put, here is how this new policing device, or ALPR, works:  Police cars have mounted scanners which capture thousands of tag numbers and store the information in computer data bases, which can almost instantly tell the police if any of the motorists who passed by have any outstanding warrants, alerts, or traffic tickets.  But data is stored about innocent motorists, too.       



According to Wikipedia, these tracking devices, or ALPRs, have been around for several years and are already in common use in other nations around the world.  Now, various police agencies in this country are also implementing their usage.  For instance, various news reports indicate that, just this week, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety has approved grants totaling $500,000 for police departments to utilize ALPRs in that state.

Look, as I have said before, I am no bleeding heart!  I am a former career prosecutor.  In short, I am a strong advocate of law and order and police professionalism.  I can also see the benefits of using ALPRs, for example, in conjunction with Amber Alerts.  But part of me also worries about the growing threats to our privacy rights.  I believe that, as free citizens in a free nation, all of us should always be concerned about "Big Brother" watching us and about the potential abuses of new technology. 

For example, we should discuss ways to prevent the use of such technology to track and store the movements of innocent, law-abiding citizens.  Also, as I observed in my last blog post, concerning police monitoring of citizens through coordination of public and private security cameras, we should also be concerned that such devices could be improperly used to track the movements of opposition political parties.  Also, do we know whether such policing devices are really all that accurate?

In short, in my opinion, there should be a public discussion about such technology, careful balancing of competing interests, and clear policies implemented, before such policing devices are implemented.  But I don't see it happening!  And I don't like the idea of Big Brother knowing where I choose to shop, or vacation, or what movies I choose to see!  What do you think?  

Big Brother is Watching You, Atlanta!

[Photo from visibility911.com]

This blog is written by a former federal prosecutor.  I was an AUSA for over 20 years.  Although presently, I am an Augusta, Georgia criminal defense lawyer, I have spent much of my career fighting for crime victims and for law and order.  However, in my opinion, not everything done in the name of law enforcement is good.  And I will continue to take a stand, in this blog, against over-reaching by the police, politicians, or prosecutors, and against bad laws or practices, which erode our right to privacy or freedoms.

For instance, did you read news reports, earlier this week, that the Atlanta City Council has approved funding for a "video integration center."  This proposed center, a $2.6 million recipient of grants from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, will coordinate the watchful eyes of public and private security cameras around Atlanta.  The camera network will purportedly watch for "suspicious behavior" and help deploy police officers where needed.  That idea sounds good.

However, have you ever wondered whether such cameras could also be used to track the movements of law-abiding citizens?  Or could cameras be used to follow the whereabouts of members of opposition political parties?  Look, my point is that we, as citizens of a free nation, must constantly be alert to any efforts which threaten our shrinking right to privacy.  Simply put, security and privacy rights should both be considered. 

What do you think?