Big Brother? - Area cameras would record all license plates

By Patricia E. Matson
Citydesk@StarNewsOnline.Com

Published: Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 4:46 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 4:46 p.m.

If recent grant applications win approval, all vehicles traveling on certain local traffic arteries would have their license plates automatically recorded and checked against a U.S. criminal records database.

A surveillance system would run every plate number through the National Crime Information Center, a computerized index maintained by the FBI. If the number matches someone with an outstanding warrant, or a criminal record, or perhaps just a person of interest in a local investigation, police would be alerted.

According to Wilmington Police Department grant manager Malcolm Phelps, the city has applied for funding to put the cameras at the Cape Fear Memorial and Isabel Holmes bridges, as well as on Interstate 40.

Wrightsville Beach has applied for funds to install the surveillance system on the drawbridge, as well as a mobile unit for a police car, Police Chief John Carey said. He hopes this enhanced surveillance system will eventually act as a “force multiplierâ€