Just curious: Question for Officers

sweetness100_00 · Regular Joined: Aug 19, 2005 Posts: 26

So, just curious Officers:
When you are stopped at a traffic light or stopped somewhere behind a car, do you just randomly call in their license plate number?

StreetSamurai · Regular Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 5287

Most police are able to run tags from the computer in their vehicle. But to answer your question, yes. We can and do run tags around us if we're not busy to check for the status of the vehicle.
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coprock1970 · Queen Joined: Dec 19, 2004 Posts: 12581

I'll take it a step further:

You have no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding a license plate. You do not own that plate, but are merely allowed to display it as the State deems fit (current insurance, current registration tags, lighted, in its proper place, etc.) and is a privilege to have...not a right. The Supreme Court ruled that checking ones license plate through State and National files is indeed proper and violates no rights or laws.

That said, we can run tags all day long...and do in some cases. The new devices you see on some police vehicles (marked or unmarked) are called ALPR (Automatic License Plate Readers) and can run about 1800 in a minute, coming or going, moving or stationary, and can pop-up with stolen vehicles, warrants for the driver/owner, or criminals involved in other crimes...and they work well.
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Disclaimer: My thoughts do not necessarily reflect those of my employing agency. Also, do not take them as true, serious or accurate. Any information given should always be verified independently.

sweetness100_00 · Regular Joined: Aug 19, 2005 Posts: 26

Can civilans get a license plate checked out? For instance if there is a strange vehicle and I write down the plate number, can I bring it in or call the police department and have it checked out?

StreetSamurai · Regular Joined: Jan 31, 2006 Posts: 5287

sweetness100_00 · Regular Joined: Aug 19, 2005 Posts: 26

Thanks!

fire_soldier_343 · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:24 am Post subject:

Would just like to post an example of the ALPR system that coprock is talking about. The picture below is of an Alpharetta PD car with the ALPR on the trunk. The things are really cool IMO and makes an officers job that much easier so that's good.

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ducati · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:13 pm Post subject:

Oh - you're welcome!

Yankees_Fan · Regular Joined: Jan 27, 2008 Posts: 94

Just a question I think in this state or at least the metro area cops can find out if ones current insurance is valid or not via computer is that information made national to other agencies or just to the state of GA like for instance I were to drive back up to Jersey and a cop pulls behind me will he/or she see the same information that you guys may have here in GA?

coprock1970 · Queen Joined: Dec 19, 2004 Posts: 12581

Its seen nationally the same as what we see it here in Georgia. It will say "Valid Insurance" or "No Valid Insurance" or "Insurance Status Unknown" (usually on rental or fleet vehicles). It will also state if the registration is valid or suspended. Every styate has a different format, but we can see what is listed.

So, you may want to get insurance before you get back in your car.
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Disclaimer: My thoughts do not necessarily reflect those of my employing agency. Also, do not take them as true, serious or accurate. Any information given should always be verified independently.

Yankees_Fan · Regular Joined: Jan 27, 2008 Posts: 94