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Q&A
Discussion of proposed legislation on juvenile DNA collection
1:10:58
·
95 sec
Council Member Diana I. Ayala and NYPD officials discuss proposed legislation regarding juvenile DNA collection. NYPD officials explain their position on the bill, suggesting a narrow carve-out for certain serious crimes.
- NYPD proposes a narrow exception for pre-arrest DNA collection from juveniles
- The exception would be limited to violent felonies like murder, rape, and kidnapping
- Authorization from the Chief of Detectives would be required for such collection
- NYPD argues this approach balances public safety needs with privacy concerns
Diana I. Ayala
1:10:58
Okay.
1:10:59
So what is what are your what is your position on the bill?
Michael Gerber
1:11:01
Our position on the bill is that there should be a very narrow carve out, that it should be only permissible.
1:11:08
And and and the you know, consistent with the bill.
1:11:10
Right?
1:11:10
We're talking about pre arrest situations, your point.
1:11:12
We're not talking also not we're not talking about DNA sort of from a crime scene.
1:11:17
But pre arrest, it would bar collection from juveniles absent consent of a, you know, a parent guardian except, and now exception for a or b, violent felonies, which is not a long list and it's incredibly serious crime.
1:11:34
We're talking about murder, rape, kidnapping, that sort of thing.
1:11:39
So it has to fall within one of those categories.
1:11:41
The person's a suspect for one of those crimes and authorization from the chief of detectives.
1:11:47
Right?
1:11:47
It's not it's not just some a detective in the squad decides, hey.
1:11:51
You have to go to the chief of detectives and get permission.
1:11:54
And then and and we'll and we'll keep and we'll track it.
1:11:56
Right?
1:11:56
There there will be a record of the chief of detectives, him or herself, authorized this collection.
1:12:03
What we're trying to do is really to balance here to a very large extent, you know, the bill will restrict us.
1:12:13
Right?
1:12:13
There will be a universe of felonies where we would otherwise potentially be seeking to take DNA, and we won't be able to anymore.
1:12:24
But to have a narrow carve out for the most serious violent crimes with authorization from the chief of detectives, we think that is an appropriate balance.