Wyoming last week became the latest state to install AI-powered mass surveillance cameras, which will begin in the town of Jackson.
Cameras using automated license plate recognition (ALPR) technology can scan passing cars and capture license plate numbers, makes and models, colors, and identifying markers such as bumper stickers or broken tail lights. They then use artificial intelligence to break these data down into searchable queries and match them against the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC). If there is a match, a real-time alert is sent to law enforcement.
The cameras feed into a centralized mass camera network owned by the manufacturer, Flock Safety, which it calls a “public safety platform”.
On Wednesday, the Jackson Town Council narrowly voted to spend $185,000 to install 30 ALPR Falcon cameras from Flock Safety, though even proponents of the measure felt uneasy.
“I don’t like this particular arc of this particular part of history,” said Councilman Josh Schechter. “I’m screaming ‘stop’ as I vote ‘yes.’”
Councilwoman Sell Chambers, who also voted “yes”, expressed her trepidation.
“I have traditionally been anti-surveillance, I think it has been a slippery slope,” she said. “But I just think that that ship has sailed. We are so under surveillance, like constantly, everywhere.”
Over 2,000 cities across 43 states have already installed Flock Safety’s ALPR cameras, according to the Daily Wire. The devices can also be purchased by private individuals, businesses, schools and homeowners associations (HOAs), who can also create their own “hot lists”. Hundreds of HOAs are reportedly using the cameras.
Flock Safety also sells other devices such as Raven, an audio device built to detect the sounds of gunshots, breaking glass, sawing metal or screeching tires.
Aside from being used to “fight crime” ALPR cameras are being used in other parts of the world to enforce climate mandates.
In the United Kingdom and Europe, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are placed around Ultra-Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), areas only accessible to low-emission vehicles. Cars that do not meet the city’s environmental standards are charged a daily fee for entering the ULEZ, which in London costs £12.50 ($16.00). Fines are levied against cars which the cameras catch entering without the authorized sticker.
But Londoners are not responding well to the climate mandates, refusing to pay the fines and even vandalizing dozens of cameras.
Source: Wyoming becomes latest state to launch AI-powered mass surveillance