Security?????

Plate Reader Helps Cops on the Road

by Greg JohnstonPublished Jan 12, 2007

The Livingston County Sheriff's department now has a new tool to assist them on the road: a license plate reader. It’s all thanks to the division of Criminal Justice.
The instrument consists of two cameras mounted to the top of a patrol car and software loaded into a laptop computer.
As the deputy drives down the road, the system automatically recognizes license plates and compares them against a list of stolen or suspended plates on the laptop.
Typically, a deputy has to manually enter a license plate number to check the status of it.
The city of Rochester received a license plate reader back in 2005.
jme

I know I'll certainly sleep better... how 'bout you???

E

Time Warner or Big Brother?

I might be becoming paranoid. Now before you jump to the conclusion that I’m just paranoid about being paranoid, hear me out.

Lately I have been having problems signing on to the internet. My modem just can’t initialize… In fact, my computer can’t even find my modem! I have to unplug the whole mess and reboot the computer and then plug it all back in and then maybe I will be able to connect. I struggled with this for a week before finally coming to the conclusion that I was going to have to call the *cue ominous music* cable company!

With trembling fingers, I dialed the number on my exorbitant bill. After a severe warning that they were experiencing a larger than normal amount of traffic (did I call for the traffic report?) I was goaded through several hundred prompts where I was required to press 1, 2, 3 or 4. None of these numbers led me to a real, actual human being, of course, and god forbid I press the wrong number because I could end up listening to a recording informing me to hang up and dial again (in Spanish). After refusing to conform to their evil menus, I pressed “O” repeatedly, allowing me a momentary rush of satisfaction at the sound of ringing before I was placed on hold again.

When at last I spoke to a customer service representative, I was surprised to find him so happy. I guess I was the only person who found their way through the Maze of Menus so I was relieving his loneliness and monotony. I explained my problem and he pleasantly informed me that, while he empathized with my plight, he could not help me. He could, however, transfer me to someone who could. Yep, you got it. More holding.

The next customer service agent was not quite as content as the previous one. Perhaps he was unable to escape outside calls and was jealous of those protected by the Horrible Menu of Death by Boredom and Frustration. At any rate, he listened to my dilemma and… pay close attention, now, I’m getting to the paranoid part… he said, “Let me just check on your hook up.” At first I thought that sounded a little personal, but before I could point out that we hardly knew each other, he said, “Hmm… yes… Your modem signal is weak coming in and going out.”

I was struck by two things. First of all, I was insulted on behalf of my modem, because I am certain it tries very hard and could improve given the chance. Second, how the hell could that guy tell what my modem was doing?

Mechanically I set up the service appointment, but my mind was otherwise engaged. I couldn’t get past the fact that, within seconds, a stranger from the cable company could reach out with wireless fingers and insult my modem. What else was Time Warner checking on? Could they see the condition of my hard drive? I would hate to think that they were all sitting there laughing at the mediocre imaging package I was using; snickering at the variety of children’s educational software installed but rarely used; guffawing at my inferior processor. What if they were checking out what web sites I had visited? Really, it was my youngest son who clicked on the “You are the one millionth visitor” banner!

This same cable company is probably monitoring what I watch on television too! Honestly, I only watched about 15 minutes of that sappy Life Time move and I accidentally left the TV on when that reality show about Hulk Hogan’s family was airing. South Park?! Okay, well, yeah, that was me.

By now you get it. I’m concerned. I hate to rush off but you will have to excuse me while I run out to make a few purchases. I will obviously have to sweep the cable guy for bugs when he comes over. Paranoid? Riiiight. That’s what they want you to think.

L

Huh? Are they MADD?

MADD has proposed the use of advanced technology to determine blood alcohol levels and disable a vehicle when the driver is over the preset limit. What the hell are they thinking? At first glance this seems a wonderful solution... After actually engaging some brain cells in real thought, one can see that, at the very least, this is idiotic.

This program addresses the repeat offenders because apparently the first time you get drunk you won't get in an accident. Sort of like the first time you have sex you won't get pregnant. Everybody knows that. And as for those repeat offenders, we have a novel idea. How about after their second conviction, hold onto your seats... this may be controversial... you revoke their damn license permanently!

Besides the obvious question of how to prevent the soused individual from having a sober friend start the car or paying off an innocent bystander to start the car, how will you prevent this soused individual from driving another vehicle not equipped with Santa's "He Sees You When You're Drinking" technology? Perhaps we need to install cameras on every street corner or better yet, we could surgically implant drunk detectors in the all adults of drinking age, that activates a scrolling banner declaring "I'm drunk, don't let me drive!" on their foreheads.

What about those individuals who are taking prescription drugs that inhibit their ability to drive? Should we require them to prick their finger for a blood analysis before their car will start? God forbid, what about the person who imbibes in a half glass of lite beer while on said medication? We all know that most of the elderly are driving impaired without the aid of alcohol or drugs. Maybe a complicated series of vision and mental screenings prior to getting behind the wheel would be deterrent enough.

Let's not stop there. Don't listen to that little boy that is saying that the Emperor is naked! Perhaps we should start installing devices on anything that could cause harm. Obviously the first thing that needs to be dealt with is guns. We wouldn't want anyone taking prescription drugs to toss one back with the boys before going out hunting and accidentally shoot someone in the face. Hello, Mr. Cheney!

Why stop at guns? Harm comes through the computer as well. A few too many and that highly unflattering photo of you showing off your rhinestone mesh thong is getting record setting hits on MySpace. Goodbye keys to the executive washroom.

While we understand that the people at MADD are well intentioned, we need to stop and remind them that the road to hell is paved with those good intentions. Let's take a step back and use common sense and show some willingness to solve this problem with basic human decency and compassion. Nobody wants to get involved, but we have to get involved on a personal level. A machine will never solve our society's ills. That's up to us.

So the next time you see a coworker sip one too many Chocolate Martinis, don't hand them a party blower, take their damn keys and call a cab. Enough said.

L & E