[talmand]

Well, I see it as a more potential problem if the cops don't know the license plate number they need up front so they record every single one they see. Then this data is stored until someone can go looking through them to find the plate they actually need. The question is what happens to the complete list at this point?

Which, interestingly enough, the process of recording and storing license plate numbers for various uses is already in play. Both by private and public agencies.