A Citizens Guide to Automated License Plate Technology

ALPR. Image via Wikipedia
Have you seen cameras like this on police cars near you lately? You will. The technology is called ALPR- Automatic License Plate Recognition, and it's going to be almost everywhere in the US in the near future. ALPR allows the automated scanning of over a hundred plates a minute. That plate information is matched versus databases like NCIC (FBI database) in the US. That database will indicates vehicles reported stolen, criminal warrants, and so on. Local departments can add their own data to check against, including unpaid fines and tickets (scofflaws), and so forth.

USMCQuotes on Fighting Fair

“Only imbeciles and fools fight fair, and won't do so for long.”

– USMCQuotes

I love that quote because it captures the mentality needed to survive and overcome – anything. Do what you need to do. Does that preclude a “fair fight?” Nope. If you’re in a consensual contest, then rules are in place, whether you understand them completely or not. In Olympic TKD, punching your opponent makes you a loser, since the rules preclude it. In an attack, it’s de rigueur to hit your opponent wherever you need to, and as hard as you need to, with whatever you have to, in order to survive and win.

Guest Interview with Danny Da Costa - Founder of Shinjido (video)

This is a guest post by Bob Patterson, of Striking Thoughts fame, a long-time friend of TDA, as well as almost the entire martial arts blogging community, and someone for whom I have much respect. What I like about Bob’s perspective is that he’s one of the most humble and open of any out there. Striking Thoughts is written from the viewpoint of a beginner at all times; Bob shares his observations about his current training, how it fits with his past accomplishments and skills, and isn’t afraid to admit when he gets his butt kicked by a newbie, or as to how he adapts to what he calls middle age. Most sites, like this one, have to choose between being a training diary and specific purpose informational site. Bob has successfully done both. He’s well known for his weekly Martial Arts News, and the scathing commentary on Steven Seagal, criticism of Chuck Norris’ politics, and for sharing why a basic technique is so good, which is refreshing. This is not to minimize his accomplishments, since he’s got what many of us have: experience. His time as a correctional officer (that’s prison/jail guard for us civilians) gave him a chance to face down and de-escalate, as well as physically contain some bad guys that would give the rest of us nightmares. So with all due respect, I’d suggest you check out his site, and learn from him. Anyway, Bob proposed a first for this guest post, which hasn’t been done before on TDA Training. Without further ado, the interview. – Nathan

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The Interview with Danny Da Costa of Shinjido

US Army Staff Sgt Disarms Bank Robber (Video)

A feel-good story with lessons for all of us.

I love how he’s so casual about this:

“I took the weapon away from him, and put him on the ground…”– SSgt Eddie Peoples

Sgt. Peoples was not deterred.

"I've been through five deployments. I've fought the Muqtada militia, everybody you can think of, so weapons getting pointed at me, it doesn't really bother me anymore," he said. "I took the weapon away from him and put him on the ground and the rest was history."

Deputies arrested 34-year-old Matthew Rogers. He is charged with armed robbery.

"Every time I get deployed, I always tell my children I'm going to fight the bad men. When I walked back in the bank, my oldest boy said 'did you get the bad men?' and I said 'yep, I got the bad men' and everyone applauded," Peoples said.

Rogers has a long criminal history, including arrests for burglary, auto theft and reckless driving.

LAPDs Chevy PPV build-out (video)

Another in our long series on police cars, check out this video of the LAPD’s new Chevy Caprice PPV. I want to drive it!