S.T.O.P. Condemns New Secret NYPD Gun Database

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Condemns New Secret NYPD Gun Database (New York, NY, 5/5/2022) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, condemned reports of a secret NYPD gun database that subjects gunshot victims to invasive surveillance. The NYPD’s Gun Recidivist Investigation Program or “GRIP List,” created shortly after Mayor Adams took office, comprises people NYPD believes were involved in recent gun violence, including suspects, witnesses, and victims in addition to those with gun charges. The civil rights group warned that the list will subject victims of gun violence to increased scrutiny and disproportionately impact communities of color. SEE: Gothamist – After years of gang list controversy, the NYPD has a new secret database. It’s focused on guns. https://gothamist.com/news/nypd-grip-list-guns “NYPD does not need another secret database or more digital stop-and-frisk,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “No one should worry that being shot will get them put in a police database. These secret surveillance measures aren’t just creepy, they often just don’t work. It’s outrageous that the City Council and other elected officials learn about new NYPD surveillance in a news article, and not from the department. It’s long past time to impose laws like the POST Act that require the NYPD to disclose new surveillance systems.” Last year, S.T.O.P. and fellow civil rights groups condemned the NYPD’s noncompliance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, which requires the NYPD to publish policies for every surveillance tool they use. While NYPD continues to break the law, last fall S.T.O.P. and the Legal Aid Society revealed $277 million in secret NYPD surveillance contracts previously hidden under the “special expenses” program, a controversial secrecy agreement terminated after passage of the POST Act. SEE: Press Release - Civil Rights Groups Hold Online Press Conference, Call on Public to Condemn NYPD Draft Surveillance Policies Before Feb. 25 Deadline https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2021/2/23/civil-rights-groups-hold-press-conference-on-nypd-surveillance-policies Press Release - S.T.O.P., Legal Aid Society Reveal Secret NYPD Surveillance Contracts Now Exceed $277 Million https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2021/9/14/stop-legal-aid-society-reveal-secret-nypd-surveillance-contracts-now-exceed-277-million The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. -- END -- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.