DHS Creating National License Plate Recognition Database

From The West Wire

In yet another questionable post to the Federal Business Opportunities website the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has stated their intention of establishing a “National License Plate Recognition (NLPR) database service.” The DHS or, more specifically, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division, seek to be able to track vehicular movements by license plate numbers captured on roadway cameras. The stated use is for  law enforcement officers to enter a license plate number, then be able to determine where and when a vehicle has traveled. In other words, tracking a vehicle’s every movement and storing an actively updated record of those movements.

This solicitation has been posted only shortly after another questionable posting by the DHS in which they have requested additional ammunition. The questionably of that post arises mainly from the exorbitant amount of ammunition the DHS has ordered already.

The National License Plate Recognition database system will rely heavily on data-gathering from metropolitan areas within the U.S. In an apparent admission of their lack of knowledge ,regarding the logistics of what one would assume to be one of their responsibilities, the DHS is also requesting  ”a quote of availability of data” for vehicular information within metropolitan areas. That is to say, the DHS is asking private contractors to explain what travel data is available within U.S. cities. Perhaps this ignorance on behalf of the DHS is also why their solicitation is adamant that the awarded contractor provide “Help Desk” support, initial and yearly “refresher” training, written instruction and guidelines, software updates, “unlimited technical support” for each user of the system, as well  an integration for the DHS/ICE smartphones. Apparently they won’t be using specialized cameras-just their smart phones. Perhaps their reliance on smart phones so information can be “shared” with the NSA.

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