cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/43174082
WaPo article: Police secretly monitored New Orleans with facial recognition cameras
Also there just happens to be a state law that goes into effect tomorrow that threatens all state employees (including law enforcement) with jail time for ignoring federal immigration orders. Like, idk, refusing to hand over access to your city's real time facial recognition tracking surveillance.
It was literally made to target the sheriff bc of the federal consent decree saying local police don't deal with immigration matters. Small government's biggest supporters at the state level have decided that it's necessary to help the federal government enforce immigration orders on the city.
Orleans sheriff to stick with immigration policy in spite of new state law
Watched the entire fucking criminal justice meeting on June 30th. Here is probably the most relevant clip of the whole 4ish hours: https://www.reddit.com/r/NewOrleans/comments/1lolxh5/clip_of_lesli_harris_asking_the_right_questions/
Finally this article came out July 10th and one of the council members said exactly why a promise from the police didn't address the real issue.
New Orleans councilmember against facial recognition expansion
Welp, guess what today is? Tried to watch the criminal justice meeting, but there is nothing scheduled.
I have no fucking idea what is actually happening with the proposal. Or if we will even hear anything before the vote. Or if we're just supposed to pretend none of this is happening?
I'm assuming they're still voting on it August 7th? Maybe? Given how little public opinion seems to matter at the city, state, and federal level in 2025 compared to corporate money, maybe we're just supposed to pretend this was never a thing that happened.
I don't think we are anywhere near the level of tech required for predictive policing, which is a terrible idea to begin with. All these tech bros blowing smoke up police asses and of course all the cops love new toys. What a scam.
I mean, we have what Palantir calls predictive policing. It's very error prone and biased, and unregulated. But it exists and it's being used in different cities for some reason. Most have not produced evidence that they're very useful and they seem to do a lot more harm than good.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/27/17054740/palantir-predictive-policing-tool-new-orleans-nopd
Gotham is the most recent version. I think it's even being used in Germany now.
They also have some kind of gunshot monitoring software that want to use in new Orleans that's also supposed to be pretty awful in terms of usefulness
The point isn't to be accurate or good, it's an excuse for racism, fascism, and authoritarianism.
Well then they should at least be honest about it and not act like a little titty baby when people call it out for what it is.