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Nowhere to hide for offenders as Metro cops go techno

Keba Mothoagae

You can run but you cannot hide is an adage that befits the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system, Metro police’s state-of the-art mass surveillance technology that scans vehicle number plates.
This is not good news for criminals, as the system can identify stolen vehicles, expired licence’s, various unregistered vehicular misdemeanours and, importantly, wanted suspects.
This might sound like a new form of privacy intrusion for those who live on the straight and narrow, but Metro police spokesman Inspector Wayne Minnaar begged to differ.
“Our officers have the authority to utilise technology or instruments that can be used in the fight against crime. This can help affect law enforcement.”
Three cameras mounted on the roof of Metro police vehicles are telltale signs of this impressive technology. Pointed in three different directions (forward, left, and right), the cameras scan registration plates of surrounding vehicles. Immediately, the vehicle’s photo and other details appear on a computer in a patrol car, with the owner’s information, including address and ID number.
In the event of a vehicle identified as stolen, the computer beeps noisily with the screen turning red, accompanied by information about where it was stolen and to which police station its theft was reported.
Minnaar had nothing but praise for this crime-busting invention.
“The first of its kind in South Africa, this technology has made our jobs a lot easier. Metro police has succeeded in retrieving stolen vehicles, zeroing in on number plate cloning, and arresting wanted criminals.”
“I want the public to know that our crime-fighting efforts have intensified and that we are watching,” he added.
kebam@caxton.co.za

Published on July 30, 2010 at 1:07 pm