Big Brother is Watching You

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Chicago could rake in “at least $200 million” a year — and wipe out the entire projected deficit for 2009 — by using its vast network of redlight and surveillance cameras to hunt down uninsured motorists, aldermen were told today.

The system pitched to the City Council’s Transportation Committee by Michigan-based InsureNet would work only if insurance companies were somehow compelled to report the names and license plates of insured motorists. That’s already happening daily in 13 states, but not here.

The data would be entered into the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), the information-sharing network that links federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

When a camera spots an uninsured vehicle driving on Chicago streets, a citation would automatically be generated and sent to the registered owner.

This is really scary, particularly to catch people for committing what amount to victimless crimes.

HT to Instapundit, who wonderfully quips:

.I’m more interested in what we could find if banks were somehow compelled to report the financial affairs of Chicago aldermen. . . .

Comments

[Mark S.]

It's only a victimless crime until the uninsured gets in an accident.

It's to me the same sort of victimless crime as shooting a gun off in McDonald's without actually intending to hit somebody. You might, but that's not your intention.

This sort of belief fosters the attitude of driving as some sort of divine or protected right. It's a responsibility and paying your insurance is part of that responsibility. Not doing so is a crime looking for a victim.

[Phil]

It's a victimless crime when a safe driver who doesn't have insurance gets busted for not having insurance.

[Mike Norton]

You should check out www.CameraFraud.com they are putting a proposal on the ballot in AZ that would outlaw photo-radar. I've already signed the petition and so has the usually a-political Natalie.