Jake Demands Deactivates Toll Cameras: ‘Shut those toll roads down immediately’
Jake Skorheim, co-host of The Jake and Spike Show on KIRO Newsradio, urged Governor Bob Ferguson to ensure the state deactivates toll cameras that scan license plates after the governor signed a bill adding guardrails for automated license plate readers. The demand came on The Jake and Spike Show (airing weekdays 12: 00 p. m. ET–3: 00 p. m. ET). Skorheim said toll systems should be paused until officials can guarantee the safety of Washington drivers.
Deactivates demand and toll cameras
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law that adds new guardrails for using automated license plate readers (ALPR), addressing concerns over federal immigration authorities having access to the data and using it to aid in arrests. On air, Skorheim pressed that the same protections must apply to cameras scanning license plates on toll bridges, arguing that private toll-camera systems may not be covered by the new rules and that federal access remains a risk.
Skorheim framed his call as a public-safety measure: “If they’re going to use this as law, and they’re going to say, we’re trying to protect drivers in Washington from the federal government, they can’t decide what’s happening in Texas. They can’t decide how that information is being used. That’s a private company. ” He repeatedly urged a temporary pause of toll-camera operations until officials can guarantee the data is protected.
Immediate reactions
Jake Skorheim, co-host, The Jake and Spike Show, KIRO Newsradio: “Here’s what I think, honestly. I’m not being tongue-in-cheek here. I think the tolls are horrible, I want them gone. “
Jake Skorheim, co-host, The Jake and Spike Show, KIRO Newsradio: “I think they should shut those toll roads down immediately until they can guarantee that they are safe. Can we send an email to the governor’s office and ask, ‘Do we know for a fact that this information is safe?’ Because if not, I think it would be his responsibility. “
Skorheim warned that drivers pass under many scanners daily and said he could not personally guarantee their safety: “People every single day are driving under there. How many scanners do you drive under on SR 167? At one point, I was commuting under like 13 of them. No, thank you. I can’t guarantee the safety of that, and I hope the governor can. “
Quick context
The new state law creates additional guardrails for automated license plate readers amid concerns about federal access and use of plate data. Skorheim highlighted the tension between toll revenue and public safety, noting the Washington State Department of Transportation relies on toll income even as he urged safety first.
What’s next
Skorheim called for the governor’s office to be asked directly whether toll-camera data is protected and for a temporary shutdown if officials cannot guarantee safety. He acknowledged the Washington State Department of Transportation would feel a revenue impact but insisted safety must come before income: “You better not put that above the safety of the citizens. ” The on-air demands place pressure on state officials to respond with clarity about toll-camera data practices and to state whether and how they will deactivates or pause systems while questions remain.
