increasing chance if you hit the road that your ride will be caught on camera thanks to these automatic license plate readers. they read your license plate. as you mentioned, you know, it could be up to a thousand in a minute. that is what the devices are actually capable are. initially introduced as a counterterrorism tool in the wake of 911 law enforcement agencies across the country say they have crime-solve ability as well. but others fear a big brother surveillance of law abiding citizens. in new york city there are hundreds. these devices are in los angeles, major cities in the country. they are used to catch murder suspects, and here is lieutenant kelly tobin from the massachusetts police department. >> if you have a bank robbery we can read the license plates in the area where the car may be.