Subject: Terrorist-Fighting License Plate Readers Just Mobile Revenue Generators Cruising Poor Neighborhoods Sat Aug 13, 2016 2:01 am
...Why the mention of "terrorists?" Well, like most other high-tech law enforcement gear, the funding and deployment of these tools relies heavily on a narrative that never pans out: the neverending War on Terror. UASI stands for "Urban Areas Security Initiative" -- a DHS grant program meant to better equip law enforcement for handling terrorism/terrorists. To secure grants to pay for ALPRs, Stingrays, 1033 program supplies, etc., all law enforcement has to do is insert "because terrorism" somewhere in the requisition form. Existential angst -- and every government agency's natural desire to stay well-funded -- takes care of the rest.