License Plate Scanners a Violation of the Fourth Amendment

The May 28 Contra Costa Times article "Police Cars to Get License-plate Readers" does not fully express the potential of license plate trackers on police vehicles. The article focuses on instances where these cameras could be used to protect civilians from crime, when in truth, civilians should be more concerned about being tracked by the police.

The government has set up many different ways to track people which includes the license plate scanners that are discussed. While they defend their vast spending on these different spying tactics with the idea that they are out to protect and fight crime, the truth is that these trackers are used as ways to suppress civilians. This leads to a complete lack of privacy.

This article does not express the full potential of these license plate scanners, and people need to know that they, although innocent, are being tracked by the government. Ultimately, this surveillance is a violation of the Fourth Amendment which gives people the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures without probable cause.

Original Article Link:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/my-town/ci_25854169/alameda-police-cars-get-license-plate-readers