(Untitled)

[kasudyo]

Update on the automated license plate readers installed on some cop cars, seen here:

Click to view

Since I saw this video I've seen both Antioch PD and Pittsburg PD cars with them, but they seem to be the exception, they're not on most cars. The Pittsburg car I saw also had a camera facing straight backwards to read the cars following behind too.

Comments

[pyromaniacal]

I've commonly seen 4 antenna Doppler RDF (radio direction finding) arrays on the cars, and have no idea wtf they use it for. My guess is finding where other units are transmitting from, or hunting down people illegally transmitting, but last I checked, that was the FCC's jurisdiction.

[kasudyo]

I've been told some departments have a system that shows the location of other cops on a graphic display in the car. I assumed each car was transmitting it's GPS system, but maybe that's what's happening with these antennas you saw.

[footeworks]

I was always told it wasa LoJack.

[pyromaniacal]

Hmm after watching a LoJack search video, it does appear to use Doppler RDF type seeking. That would explain it.

[sharkpoof]

i do not like that it keeps track of where i am and have been.

[footeworks]

Back in to all your parking spaces or they'll know where you shop.

[sharkpoof]

got a license plate on the front of my car too. its 100 dollar fine to not have it which I found out the hard way.

[kasudyo]

On Monday, Tyler and I saw a Pittsburg PD car with this camera setup on it. I couldn't see it clearly, but the number on the fender appeared to say "109." Today I got myself a burrito, saw a PPD car on it, I clearly could see it said "104." There may be more than one Pittsburg PD car with it, they may have just gotten this system and installing them the next time the car is in the shop for maintenance.

[footeworks]

There was a show on tv I saw a while back that tagged along with parking enforcement or some similar dept. They showed them using this system to find cars that needed to be booted due to delinquent parking tickets and such.

[footeworks]

There was this paint they were marketing at car shows, I saw their booth at Goodguys in Pleasanton, which would make the plate unreadable to traffic cameras by reflecting the flash. I wonder if something similar could be done for this technology.

[sharkpoof]

They said it uses infrared so its doubtful unless you know something that reflects infrared, then it'll probably report you as unlicensed.