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The RCMP is in an Olympic rush to buy infrared video cameras with software that can read more than 3,000 licence plates an hour.
"This is an urgent requirement," says a Friday tender notice for 60 automated licence plate recognition systems. "This procurement contains requirements that may be utilized in support of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."
Dec. 3 is the deadline to bid on the one-year standing offer with two one-year options. Bidders must be able to deliver a test system to the Langley RCMP detachment "within one week." The document says the system doesn't collect personal information but "does provide the authority" to pull over vehicles and investigate the driver's status.
"By doing it at the last minute you can minimize the opportunity for legal challenges, and minimize the opportunity for the public to say hey, this doesn't seem right," said B.C. Civil Liberties Association executive director David Eby.