The state commissioner in charge of the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles provided an explanation for how two vanity license plates with Nazi references made it onto Alaska roads.
In a Facebook video, Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka says the terms “FUHRER” and “3REICH” were not on a list of more than 11,000 terms that are rejected by the DMV’s automated screening process. “An electronic system screens all requests for personalized license plates using a list of over 11,000 vulgar, violent, criminal and demeaning terms. The system did not catch the request for the 3REICH license plate when it was issued in November 2020 because that term was not on the list. The DMV recalled that plate in January 2021 and issued replacement plates to the owner of the vehicle.”
Tshibaka explained what the department is doing to prevent this from happening again, “The terms 3REICH and FUHRER are being added to the electronic screening list as well as their variations. The DMV’s electronic screening list will undergo a thorough review and be updated to add additional vulgar, violent, criminal and demeaning terms per the criteria in the Alaska Administrative Code. Plates that are flagged by the electronic screening system will be reviewed by a committee when staff is uncertain whether they meet acceptable criteria. This will help reduce human subjectivity and error in determining the content of personalized plates.”
Tshibaka said that the DMV will remain neutral and consistent in promoting civility, but adds that they’ll also create opportunity for personal expression.
