REMARKS
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez's opening remarks on NYPD surveillance technology oversight
0:11:19
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3 min
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez delivers opening remarks for a hearing on the NYPD's implementation of the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act. She expresses disappointment with the NYPD's lack of full compliance with the POST Act and emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of surveillance technologies.
- Highlights concerns about NYPD's opaque information and potential disregard for the POST Act's goals
- Notes recent updates to NYPD's POST Act report, including previously undisclosed technologies
- Stresses the critical nature of public trust and the need for transparency in rapidly evolving technology adoption
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:11:19
Thank you, chairs Brewer and chair Salam.
0:11:22
Good morning.
0:11:22
Buenos Dias, everyone, and welcome to our hearing.
0:11:24
I'm council member Gutierrez.
0:11:26
I'm the chair of the committee of technology.
0:11:28
I'm pleased to be joined by my colleagues council member Salam and council member Brewer and I'd like to acknowledge deputy speaker Ayala who's joined the hearing.
0:11:37
The technology committee will also hear the super majority bill sponsored by council member Williams intro nine seventy eight in relation to requiring the three one one customer service center to provide relevant resources in response to tree pruning related requests.
0:11:51
The committee expects to receive written testimonies from both the office of technology and innovation, OTI, and Parks Department.
0:11:57
A little over a year ago in December 2023, we held a hearing on the post act and the use of surveillance technologies.
0:12:03
That hearing provided us with insights from both NYPD and DOI as well as various advocacy and watchdog groups.
0:12:10
Coming out of that hearing, I was disappointed but not surprised by the opaque information provided by the NYPD regarding their lack of full compliance with the post act.
0:12:20
The NYPD either did not comprehend the fundamental purpose of the post act transparency and accountability or it is willfully disregarding the intended goals.
0:12:29
It was unfortunate that the logic cited in their testimony was nonlinear giving NYPD carte blanche to act with impunity with a notable absence of clarity surrounding individual use policies or IUPs.
0:12:40
I come to this hearing hoping that there were lessons learned from the last hearing and that the explosion of new surveillance related technology contracts are addressed and treated with the weight they deserve.
0:12:50
And in understanding that public safety means more than just enforcement but also the long lasting safety of New Yorkers, their data and their ability to live their lives without fear and lack of due process.
0:13:01
A few refreshers from last year, the PD claimed it does not use artificial intelligence, does not share data with ICE and properly records all contracts.
0:13:10
However, when confronted with evidence that technologies like facial recognition use AI, they removed references rather than clarifying their use.
0:13:18
DOI confirmed that the PD has yet to fully comply with the post act and provided recommendations for improving oversight.
0:13:26
Advocates highlighted that between 02/2007 and 2020, the NYPD procured surveillance technologies such as facial recognition and cell phone tracking through special expense purchase contracts, bypassing standard procurement processes and raising transparency concerns.
0:13:42
Since our last hearing in December 2023, the PD has updated its post act report to include previously undisclosed technologies like weapons detection systems and tracking devices.
0:13:52
I'm glad to see they've corrected that stance.
0:13:54
Additionally, DOI's latest report underscores the PD's ongoing lack of full compliance with the act.
0:14:00
I wanna take a moment to echo my colleagues, council member Salam and council member Brewer, who have emphasized the importance of public safety, transparency, and civil liberties.
0:14:09
Transparency and accountability are more important than ever especially in an era when technologies are rapidly evolving and being both adopted and discarded at a pace far exceeding public expectation.
0:14:19
I also want to stress that ensuring public trust is just as critical and transparency is the first step toward achieving it.
0:14:25
Today, I look forward to hearing technology updates from PD, recommendations from the DOI, and concerns from the public.
0:14:31
And finally, I'd like to thank the technology committee staff including counsel Irene Bayofsky, policy analyst Eric Brown and my chief of staff and senior advisor Anya Lair for their tremendous work on putting this hearing together.
0:14:43
I will now turn it over.
0:14:46
I think we've recognized everybody.
Michael Gerber
0:14:49
Yes.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:14:50
Yeah you're gonna go first.
0:14:53
Okay I'll now turn it over to council member Juan sponsor of intro four eighty.