LAPD Will Start Recording & Storing Protest Helicopter Footage: Enhancing Accountability and Safety

In a significant move towards greater transparency and accountability, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has announced that it will begin recording and storing helicopter footage of protests throughout the city. This initiative aims to improve public safety, enhance the department's response to civil unrest, and provide a clearer record of events during demonstrations. Here’s what you need to know about this new policy and its potential implications.

Why Record Protest Helicopter Footage?

The decision to implement this policy comes in response to several factors:

1. Public Safety Concerns: Protests can sometimes escalate into confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. By capturing aerial footage, the LAPD hopes to monitor crowd behavior, assess potential risks, and enhance safety for both officers and protesters.

2. Accountability and Transparency: Recording helicopter footage provides an additional layer of accountability for police actions during protests. This transparency can help address community concerns about law enforcement conduct and promote trust between the police and the public.

3. Historical Record: Documenting protests through aerial footage creates an official record of events, which can be valuable for reviewing actions taken during demonstrations and for historical context in understanding civil rights movements.

How the Policy Will Work

Under the new policy, LAPD helicopters will record video footage of protests in real-time. Here are key aspects of the program:

1. Storage and Management: The recorded footage will be securely stored for a designated period. This will ensure that the footage is accessible for review in the event of investigations or legal inquiries related to specific protests.

2. Use of Technology: The LAPD will utilize advanced aerial surveillance technology to capture high-quality footage, allowing for a comprehensive view of protest activities. This technology will help officers monitor the situation effectively.

3. Review Process: The department plans to establish clear guidelines for how the footage can be accessed and used. This may include protocols for reviewing footage during investigations or for training purposes.

Potential Benefits of the Policy

The implementation of recording protest helicopter footage is expected to yield several benefits:

1. Enhanced Situational Awareness: Aerial footage allows law enforcement to assess the scale and dynamics of protests from a broader perspective. This can help officers make informed decisions regarding crowd management and safety measures.

2. Documentation of Events: Capturing footage can provide an objective account of events, helping to clarify any disputes that may arise regarding police actions or protestor behavior during demonstrations.

3. Building Community Trust: By prioritizing transparency and accountability, the LAPD aims to foster trust with the communities it serves. Demonstrating a commitment to responsible policing can help bridge gaps between law enforcement and the public.

Concerns and Considerations

While the policy has the potential to improve safety and accountability, it also raises important considerations:

1. Privacy Issues: There may be concerns about privacy, particularly if the footage captures individuals without their consent. It’s essential for the LAPD to address these concerns and ensure compliance with privacy laws.

2. Potential Misuse of Footage: There is a risk that recorded footage could be misused or misinterpreted. Establishing strict guidelines for access and usage will be crucial to prevent any potential abuses.

3. Community Perception: The decision to record protests may be met with skepticism by some community members who fear increased surveillance. The LAPD will need to communicate the intentions behind the policy clearly and address any community concerns.

Conclusion

The LAPD’s decision to start recording and storing helicopter footage of protests marks a significant step towards enhancing accountability and public safety in Los Angeles. By implementing this policy, the department aims to foster transparency, provide a clearer understanding of events, and improve its response to civil unrest. As communities navigate the complexities of protests and police interactions, this initiative could play a crucial role in building trust and ensuring the safety of all involved.

LAPD Has Only Used Facial Recognition 30,000 Times Since 2009

Fresh face recognition programs, including a "smart vehicle" fitted with face recognition and real-time face recognition cameras, have been repeatedly revealed by the Los Angeles Police Department, yet the agency claimed to have "no documents sensitive" to our document request.  

Since 2009, the Los Angeles Police Department has used facial recognition software almost 30,000 times, with hundreds of officers running photographs of criminals against a vast database of mug shots captured by law enforcement from surveillance cameras and other outlets. Are the police using this technology on traffic cameras in Los Angeles?  

"It is no secret" that the LAPD uses facial recognition, that he personally testified to that fact before the Police Commission a few years back, and that the more recent denials, including two after last year, one to The Times, were just errors, LAPD assistant chief Horace Frank said. 

LAPD spokesman Josh Rubenstein told the paper that the app was used to help classify suspects in crimes without witnesses, gang crimes where witnesses are reluctant to come forward, and by a multi-law enforcement agency task force investigating arsons, burglaries, and other crimes that took place during summer demonstrations over police shootings.

The software was used to equate the geographic database with photographs from crime scenes, witnesses, and surveillance cameras. Rubenstein said the LAPD also doesn't use the program to search crowds or in any live-streaming capacity. He said the program had access to 330 LAPD staff. 

A three-year ban on the use of facial recognition systems in police body cameras has been implemented by California. Similar moves in New Hampshire and Oregon were followed by the prohibition. San Francisco and Oakland banned police and other city agencies last year from using any facial recognition. In the Boston suburb of Somerville, Massachusetts, it has also been banned.

Has facial recognition video technology been using on the hundreds of automatic license plate reader traffic cameras throughout the city?