really? our computers (and I believe are on a statewide level) are set up to run the DL number of the registered owner of the vehicle when we run a plate. What is the reasoning behind not being able to run the DL with out RS/violation?

Only things we are restricted on are running a person for to see if they have a Conceal Pistol License or run their Criminal History. Both require a reason and are auditable.

J-

Yup.  We run a few plates

I think for our 3 camera systems, it is about $30k a unit for the equipment, and the license is a couple grand a year.

When I worked for the county jail I HATED those damn things....

Cars with them would come around the corner and all the IR cameras on the outside would flip out because of the IR LEDs in the car's cameras...

If you haven't seen them through IR....   They strobe... and it pissed off our outside IR cameras like you wouldn't believe....

I'm surprised there isn't more talk of plate readers.  Most towns around here have them on at least a few of the police cars.  I just passed by one this morning sitting on the side of a well traveled road.  He was in the same spot a few months ago when he got me when I didn't renew my license. (my fault, I admitted and paid it).

I'm surprised that they aren't getting burdened with lots of extra work.  I imagine it'll only take minutes of sitting somewhere before the reader finds something wrong with the car or it's registered driver.

Number of hits is determined by volume of plates read. Rush hours are often the best times, but also the most difficult due to traffic volume. Lots of hits while enroute to calls for service or while on other traffic stops.
Some small agencies find that they can't afford the associated costs, even if they get the PR system on a grant