Looking forward to chip-implants in homeless people... California county plans to fingerprint homeless October 10, 2000 Web posted at: 9:32 AM EDT (1332 GMT) RIVERSIDE, California (AP) -- County officials are planning a voluntary fingerprint program for the homeless as part of an effort they say will provide better services. "This is strictly for the purpose of identifying an individual so we can track their services more effectively and better plan for their needs," Kevin Gaines, spokesman for the Riverside Countys Department of Public Social Services, said Monday. But some of the homeless and their advocates say the move is too intrusive. "Im not hiding anything but I think its just getting into my business a little bit," Gary Cervantes said. "It feels a little bit like they are tagging an animal." Attorney Dan Tokaji of the American Civil Liberties Union said homeless people would be intimidated into taking part in the program. "When you have someone in position of power requesting information from a needy person, there is inherent coercion," he said. Officials say fingerprinting will provide a more reliable count of the homeless and access to more federal grants to help them. They are planning to visit shelters beginning next month. Some transients see the benefits of the program. Angel Monroy recalled that doctors had troubled identifying him after he lapsed into a coma in 1992. "When you live on the streets anything could happen where you would need to be identified," he said.