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ACLU Arms Citizens with Cameras

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 7:35 AM

More than a year after it was first announced (and we reported it), the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri today is launching its "Project Vigilant", which will arm residents of the Fairground Park neighborhood in north St. Louis with video cameras to protect themselves and their neighbors against abusive police.

"Project Vigilant levels the playing field," said Brenda Jones, executive director for the ACLU-EM who created the program.

"Police officers who know their misconduct will be reported and probably filmed might be less likely to abuse their authority. Project Vigilant is not and should never be perceived as an 'anti-police' program. In meetings with St. Louis Police Chief Joe Mokwa, we stressed that we are just as likely to catch the police officers in the course of positive behavior as well as negative. Our project is designed to give police officers more incentive to connect and communicate respectfully with the residents of the communities they patrol."

The program will be introduced during a news conference at 2:00 p.m. today at the ACLU-EM's new headquarters on 454 Whittier.

Labels: Crime, Police

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3 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Will the tapes in general be available for viewing?

While some police officers are bad apples, if not criminals, seeing the good officers dealing with the criminal element would be eye-opening as well.

I hope we that we get to see the good with the bad. I understand that the bad will get more press, but seeing officers perform their duties on a day in, day out, basis should get the officers more sympathy.

6/20/2007 8:38 AM

Doug Duckworth said...

I am for open policing, but the ACLU should be spending their money in order to lobby for local control, not issuing cameras.

The reporting of race during traffic stops was an excellent step forward thanks to Senator Goode and the ACLU, however local control of the PD needs to accompany this method of disclosure. The Civilian Review Board, which accompanied this legislation, only makes recommendations. It has no legally binding authority. In order to have accountability, the Mayor needs to be in control of the Police, not the State of Missouri.

6/20/2007 9:56 AM

Doug, how many trips did you make to Jefferson City to lobby for something this year? My guess is none. Talk, talk, talk. Complain, complain, complain.

6/20/2007 10:45 AM

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