ACLU's mobile justice smartphone app is deemed crucial for citizens, protesters.
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The National Journal published an infographic on May 4 listing which cities are sued the most in the wake of police brutality. Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Jose, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Fort Worth and Austin had records of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of civil rights lawsuits being filed against the police in those cities between January 2011 and September 2014.
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While the survey does not supply a complete analysis of the issue (not all major cities were surveyed and the survey number was too small), the alarming results point to a need for further investigation, public education, awareness and empowerment. “Police misconduct [and brutality] is no small problem,” the National Journal relates.
There are now tools that can help the public become watchdogs and to protect themselves in situations where they might not otherwise have had any power to do so. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California has created a mobile justice smartphone app which not only allows you to record what is happening (because sometimes just recording the incident is not enough as those phones are often confiscated, “lost” and destroyed), but also creates a way for citizens to be able to ensure that incriminating footage of police brutality is logged and sent to those who can help. Videos recorded on smartphones with the free app can be automatically sent to the ACLU along with reports that are reviewed and acted upon further if necessary.
The ACLU app was released last Thursday to help people monitor police actions and to preserve evidence of police misconduct with the ACLU. It’s a way to hold police officers accountable. Mashable wrote that “the app could be seen as essential equipment for some engaging in peaceful protests.” Other reports related that the app is “crucial.”
Unfortunately the app is not yet live in every city. It is, however, slowly but surely making its way to cities like Denver, Colorado (whose excessive force payouts equal two times more than those in Baltimore). Wired reports that there are, however, other apps that are popping up to assist those who are at risk for becoming victims of police misconduct. Hands Up 4 Justice, I’m Getting Arrested, Swat, Five-O and Stop and Frisk Watch are some of those apps which do everything from contacting relatives and loved ones about the situation at hand to placing evidence onto cloud-based storage for further action when necessary.
Sometimes, video footage is the only evidence anyone has to prove injustices. Apps like those mentioned above are one step in the right direction of citizens arming and protecting themselves from police misconduct and brutality.Another step includes self-educating and educating others about civil rights. As the ACLU states, ”taking photographs and video of things that are plainly visible in public spaces is a constitutional right.” That includes taking pictures and filming things such as the outside of federal buildings and police on duty.
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