.... the Virginia State
Police used cameras to track motorists attending political events in
2008. Automated license plate readers (ALPR or ANPR in Europe) are used
by law enforcement agencies throughout the country, ostensibly to fight
crime by finding stolen cars. A March 18, 2009 state police memo also
documents the use of the "Help Eliminate Auto Theft" (HEAT) camera to
identify attendees at campaign events for then-Democratic presidential
nominee Barack Obama and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah
Palin....