Danvers man’s proposal for EZ-ID license plates endorsed

The New England Association of Chiefs of Police has unanimously endorsed the  EZ-ID bill state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, filed and  state Sen. John F. Keenan, D-Quincy, and state Rep. Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer,  co-sponsored.

Senate Bill 1798, also known as Molly’s Bill, would direct the Registry of  Motor Vehicles to issue license plates that combine the traditional letters and  numbers already used with universal, easily distinguishable symbols, such as  triangles, squares and other geometric shapes.

Robert D. Campbell, president of the police chief’s association, recently  wrote a letter on behalf of the organization’s Board of Directors labeling the  EZ-ID proposal, which was crafted by Danvers resident Gary P. Richard, “truly a  worthwhile project that deserves the support of Law Enforcement.”

“It not only serves the need for vehicle identification in cases of child  abduction, but also serves as a tool for vehicle identification when a motor  vehicle is used for any criminal activity,” Campbell wrote.

The bill is named after Molly Bish, a teenager who was abducted while  working as a lifeguard in Warren in June of 2000. Molly’s remains were found  three years later, but her killer has never been identified.

Molly’s Bill would require license plates to pair up to four alpha-numeric  characters with one easily recognized symbol.

The new format would assist law enforcement officials by making it easier  for witnesses to read, identify and remember the license plate of a motor  vehicle used in the commission of a crime.

In many cases, witnesses are able to recall only a partial license plate,  forcing police to run a check on thousands of vehicles to narrow the list of  suspects, but symbols are more easily identified. With a standard six-character  plate, the number of possible matches can be narrowed to about one in 4,300  vehicles, but a plate issued under the EZ-ID bill would narrow the possible  combinations to only one in 123, making it easier to identify and track down the  vehicle.

“Implementing the provisions of Molly’s Bill will not only help put criminals  behind bars, but also will help to save lives,” said Tarr. “The new system  established by this bill will significantly strengthen the effectiveness of  license plates for their main purpose – identifying cars, trucks and other  vehicles. I welcome the endorsement of the New England Association of Chiefs of  Police, and I intend to continue lobbying the members of the Transportation  Committee and stressing the importance of releasing this crucial public safety  measure to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation as quickly as  possible.”