REMARKS
Public Advocate Williams raises concerns about NYPD tactics and surveillance in subway surfing prevention
0:18:14
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92 sec
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams discusses the NYPD's approach to combating subway surfing, including arrest statistics and the use of drones. He raises concerns about the effectiveness of arrests as a deterrent and the need for transparency in surveillance methods.
- Williams notes 181 subway surfing-related arrests this year, with a 46% spike in arrests of young people.
- He mentions the NYPD's use of drones and calls for more information on their deployment and effectiveness.
- The Public Advocate expresses concern about increased arrests of young people and questions the deterrent effect, particularly for children who may not fully understand consequences.
Jumaane Williams
0:18:14
So far, there's been a 181 arrests related to subway surfing this year with arrests for young people spiking 46%.
0:18:21
Police found that 25% of those arrested were arrested more than once indicating that arresting people is not necessarily efficient and effective as a deterrent.
0:18:30
The NYPD has announced that over the past year, they, deployed drones to combat subway surfing.
0:18:36
They reported that 900 drones have saved an impressive 114 lives.
0:18:41
What we don't know and should get more information about is exactly where and how the drones are being used and what happens after a drone spots a subway surfer.
0:18:49
It is important to pair transparency with the increased use of surveillance technology, especially considering, the NYPD's concerning history of surveilling New Yorkers.
0:18:57
The NYPD needs to inform this body about what happens after a subway surfer is spotted and how many subway surfing arrests involve the use of drones.
0:19:06
I appreciate that the NYPD has a multifaceted approach here, but I am concerned about the increased arrests of young people, especially when we, consider many subway surfers are young enough to be in elementary or middle school.
0:19:20
We know that children don't have the same ability as adults to fully understand potential consequences of their actions.
0:19:28
We also know that simply, arrests and punishment don't always have the deterrent effect on individuals, and particularly other, population members who see the individual get arrested.
0:19:39
It doesn't always change their behavior, which is what we actually want, and that's just for adults.
0:19:43
And so there's probably even a little less when it comes to young people.
