Video: Ferry terminals testing license plate camera system

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SEATTLE - The Washington State Patrol begins testing a camera system at two ferry terminals Wednesday to check license plates.

The automatic license plate recognition system is now in place at the Colman Dock and the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. The cameras, located low to the ground, will take pictures of every vehicle license plate at the two busy ferry terminals.

The camera reads the license plates and digitizes the number. The information associated with the registered owner of the vehicle is checked against four critical databases: for stolen vehicles, AMBER alerts, if the owner is wanted or has any warrants, or if the vehicle is associated with suspected terrorism.

"The information is automatic," said Sgt. Trent Cain, WSP. "It comes to us and the only time we will respond is if an alert comes up in our office that is maintined 24-7."

The first day of testing didn't seem to make waves with any of the ferry passengers.

"I think it's a good idea," said Doug Taylor, ferry commuter, "Why not? Things aren't as safe as they used to be, so if it will help make it a little more secure and safe for us, for people who use the boat every day especially. I think it's a good deal."

"I feel like there must be some benefit for people with stolen cars and something like that. I don't know if it makes me feel any safer than the police that are already here walking with their dogs," said Kim Scott-Olson, ferry commuter.

Though the cameras are automatic and able to grab numbers of vehicles moving up to 200 mph, WSP says any action is still taken by live police officers using discretion and good judgment.

The photos of the vehicle license plates are stored in the camera security system for 60 days, then the entire system purges those and any information associated with it.

If the state patrol likes the system, they may seek funding to install them at other ferry terminals.