This morning courtesy what used to be called the “Media” and is now almost exclusively the regurgitator of press releases.

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – In a significant step towards enhancing public safety, the New Mexico State Police have deployed advanced license plate reading (LPR) cameras capable of tracking stolen cars, locating missing persons, and flagging if the car may be connected to someone with a warrant or has committed a crime.

This morning we will scoot past a very obvious possible “story” that would make this KRQE thing something more than a press release regurgitation: What about the civil liberties and government watching our every move components in implementing such technology?

Instead we’ll add a possible hugely important use case from such technology: Catching hit-and-run offenders. As many of you know, New Mexico not only “leads” the nation in pedestrian fatalities (to a remarkable degree). We also have a ridiculously low rate of catching and prosecuting hit-and-run drivers, who account for a very significant number of pedestrian fatalities. Also significant is the percentage of hit-and-run drivers with prior convictions, etc. Why do you think they hit and then run?

Of course NM State Police, and, through regurgitation, don’t mention this very important use of the technology because who cares about walkers and that we’re killing them at the highest rate in the nation? Personally, I must admit being a bit creeped out by yet another government eye on everyone’s life, but if it’s coming it can at least address a public safety epidemic (walking deaths) that we’re currently doing pretty much fuck all about.

If you prefer, replace “fuck” above with “nothing at.” I kinda like the former more myself.