Law enforcement agencies across North America have rapidly expanded their deployment of automated license plate recognition cameras, popularized by companies like Flock, to monitor civilian traffic movements. However, a recent incident in Brampton, Ontario demonstrates a distinct double standard when citizens turn that exact same surveillance apparatus back toward the police.
Canadian software engineer and content creator Anthony Sistilli constructed a custom automated license plate reader specifically programmed to track police cruisers. Sistilli documented the build on social media, describing the device as a personal surveillance tool designed to monitor law enforcement vehicles in response to his local municipality investing heavily in municipal plate scanning technology.
The DIY project quickly drew the attention of local authorities. According to a detailed video published by Sistilli, two officers from the Peel Regional Police visited his residence to question him regarding his intentions for the collected data. During the interaction, the officers noted the potential security risks and fear associated with having their daily shifts, movements, and home proximities tracked by powerful surveillance tools.
Sistilli used the home visit as a focal point to critique the broader adoption and aggressive marketing of commercial automated license plate readers by municipal governments. His commentary highlights growing public concerns regarding transparency, data retention, and the widespread, largely unregulated use of high-resolution tracking technology in public spaces.
YouTuber Builds DIY License Plate Reader to Track Police
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