FAST FACTS:
(Memphis, 11/17/09) Lots of law enforcement at mass transit sites across Memphis today, but it wasn't because of any specific terror threat.
It was a random security check organized by the TSA.
Rico Allen was taking a Tuesday morning drive to a friend's house. Until the tag on his Cadillac was scanned by a camera on top of a Memphis Police care.
"I knew they had them new cameras that read, the tags or whatever and I knew my license was kind of messed up. I was like aw main, he was about to pull me over," said Allen.
Pulled over he was. Allen was given the shake down and put in the back of this police car. He hadn't paid his child support and his license was revoked.
"I didn't pay it for a second," said Allen.
The cameras put truth to the saying you can run but you can't hide. You can be out driving any time and your plates will be scanned...information is then sent to a computer and into a police data base. You can bet, if you have expired tags, are driving a stolen vehicle or have a warrant out... Memphis police will pull you over.
The cameras have already spotted hundreds of people like Allen, resulting in citations or arrest. That's only with 5 of these cars out. By the end of the year, there will be 73
"The first 12 shifts they worked, they made 27 arrest recovered two stolen vehicles and four of the arrest they had were for major felonies," said John Harvey from the Memphis Police Department.
Lt. Ken Shackleford and John Harvey took a program that only scanned for stolen vehicles, and enhanced it. They took a system that required four cameras per cop car and made it to where each car only needed one. The cameras were purchased with a grant. If you think you are getting away with not paying for your car tagÂ… think again.....
"Had to pay for mine, you have to pay for yours, everybody should have to pay," said Harvey.
Shackleford and Harvey have spent a lot of time getting feedback from officers and tweaking the system down to the specifics. If you're in a gang, and you drive by, this system can even identify your affiliation. And for people like Rico Allen, it gives no room for excuses.
"I'm scared to drive now ... I ain't going to drive no more," added Allen.
Right now, the cameras only scan for people in the FBI database and Shelby County. Eventually the entire state of Tennessee and DeSoto County, Mississippi will be added to the database
Each precinct will have nine cars by the end of the year.
- New cameras on Memphis Police cars are looking for predators.
- The cameras are being installed in cars this week.
- The program has been developed to scan for multiple offenses.
(Memphis, 11/17/09) Lots of law enforcement at mass transit sites across Memphis today, but it wasn't because of any specific terror threat.
It was a random security check organized by the TSA.
Rico Allen was taking a Tuesday morning drive to a friend's house. Until the tag on his Cadillac was scanned by a camera on top of a Memphis Police care.
"I knew they had them new cameras that read, the tags or whatever and I knew my license was kind of messed up. I was like aw main, he was about to pull me over," said Allen.
Pulled over he was. Allen was given the shake down and put in the back of this police car. He hadn't paid his child support and his license was revoked.
"I didn't pay it for a second," said Allen.
The cameras put truth to the saying you can run but you can't hide. You can be out driving any time and your plates will be scanned...information is then sent to a computer and into a police data base. You can bet, if you have expired tags, are driving a stolen vehicle or have a warrant out... Memphis police will pull you over.
The cameras have already spotted hundreds of people like Allen, resulting in citations or arrest. That's only with 5 of these cars out. By the end of the year, there will be 73
"The first 12 shifts they worked, they made 27 arrest recovered two stolen vehicles and four of the arrest they had were for major felonies," said John Harvey from the Memphis Police Department.
Lt. Ken Shackleford and John Harvey took a program that only scanned for stolen vehicles, and enhanced it. They took a system that required four cameras per cop car and made it to where each car only needed one. The cameras were purchased with a grant. If you think you are getting away with not paying for your car tagÂ… think again.....
"Had to pay for mine, you have to pay for yours, everybody should have to pay," said Harvey.
Shackleford and Harvey have spent a lot of time getting feedback from officers and tweaking the system down to the specifics. If you're in a gang, and you drive by, this system can even identify your affiliation. And for people like Rico Allen, it gives no room for excuses.
"I'm scared to drive now ... I ain't going to drive no more," added Allen.
Right now, the cameras only scan for people in the FBI database and Shelby County. Eventually the entire state of Tennessee and DeSoto County, Mississippi will be added to the database
Each precinct will have nine cars by the end of the year.
