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License plate scanners debuting in Des Moines, Sioux City
Jul. 30, 2012 8:50 am
Des Moines and Sioux City soon will deploy automatic license plate recognition systems that use vehicle-mounted cameras.
The cameras take pictures of license plates and then compare the plate numbers against lists of vehicles sought by law enforcement or lists of vehicle tags.
The Des Moines Register reports that law enforcement officials across the country say the systems let officers check thousands more plates per day.
Some legal experts and civil rights advocates say the technology raises questions about data collection and privacy.
Des Moines police spokesman Christopher Scott says the department is acquiring units for two patrol vehicles this fall. The equipment will cost $38,000.
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