Ohio tests license-plate recognition cameras... on the general public

The state plans to test a system on the Ohio Turnpike that uses optical scanners to catch criminals and look for stolen cars.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol will use two scanners on turnpike gates and two scanners in patrol cars for four months. The system recognizes license plates registered with a national crime database that tracks stolen cars and serious crimes.

The patrol will report to lawmakers by year's end and won't implement the system or expand it without approval by the Controlling Board or the Legislature, said patrol spokesman Capt. John Born. Born said the devices don't take pictures or make videotapes and don't create any databases of individuals.

Oh, they don't create any databases, do they? Sure; it's just the people who receive the reports that create the databases. This is, to put it bluntly, the infrastructure of a surveillance state. They may claim that there will be no database -- but there is clearly the capability to create one, should they choose. They may claim that only "stolen cars and serious crimes" will be included in the database -- but these days, engaging in a peaceful protest against your own government may be considered a serious crime.

Hat tip to Politech.