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NYPD's arguments against eliminating the gang database
1:50:31
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Deputy Commissioner Michael Gerber presents several arguments against eliminating the NYPD's gang database. He emphasizes the potential negative consequences of removing this tool for law enforcement and public safety.
- Gerber argues that eliminating the database would lead to a lack of oversight and documentation in identifying gang members
- He suggests that without the database, police officers might rely on informal and potentially biased methods of identifying gang members
- Gerber stresses that the current system provides rules, oversight, and documentation that protect both public safety and individual rights
Michael Gerber
1:50:31
Right.
1:50:31
So so to be clear, I mean, we we we think that the database should should not be eliminated full stop.
1:50:37
Full stop.
1:50:38
We feel very strongly about it for all the reasons that we've said.
1:50:41
On top of that, I will say this this idea of, you know, punitive damages against the police officers, I mean, again, it's completely unnecessary, completely unwarranted.
1:50:53
If the database is eliminated, we we will follow the law.
1:50:57
If we are barred from using it, we will not use it.
1:51:00
I think it'd be a terrible mistake.
1:51:01
I think we'll have, I think, really harmful consequences as a public safety matter and also as a matter in terms of who is flagged as a gang member.
1:51:09
Because as I said as I said, without the database, you're you're gonna have a situation where there are no checks, there's no oversight, there's no documentation, it's word-of-mouth.
1:51:19
It's someone saying, well, there's no database, but I heard from somebody.
1:51:26
I think this person might be a gang member.
1:51:28
Maybe someone said something about that.
1:51:29
And that's terrible.
1:51:31
We don't want that.
1:51:33
What whatever concerns you may have about the database, the the alternative of no database, no rules, no oversight, no DOI auditing, just word-of-mouth in the precinct among cops, that is a hundred times worse.
1:51:51
And I really would urge the critics of the department and the critics of the database really to think about that.
1:51:58
In a world in which the database ceases to exist, what does that world look like on a public safety perspective?
1:52:05
But also, what does that world look like in terms of cops flagging people as gang members?
1:52:12
Because the way it works now, right, we have these rules, we have this oversight, we have this documentation, and if the person's not in the database, someone says, oh, that person's a gang member.
1:52:22
No.
1:52:22
No.
1:52:22
No.
1:52:22
We have we have we have rules.
1:52:24
There's there's oversight here.
1:52:26
You can't just throw that around.
1:52:28
Right?
1:52:29
Executives will not accept that.
Joann Ariola
1:52:30
Right.
1:52:31
And and
Michael Gerber
1:52:31
I world in which we get rid of the database, that goes all goes out the window.
Joann Ariola
1:52:34
Right.