I was a little too generous in my previous post when I said we don’t know harm this device causes. From a 2012 NYPD briefing on the LRAD (Long Range Acoustical Device), also known as a sound cannon, via the Gothamist. In addition to having “loudspeaker” capabilities, the device can also be used, in a special mode, to propel piercing…
Month: December 2014
I can’t hear you!
In 2004, the NYPD bought two “long-range acoustic devices” ($35,000 per) and said that during the convention, “they would be used only for announcements, and that their shrill deterrent function would not be employed.” I didn’t believe that would last. Because, as is always the case, if you give cops toys, they will play with them. Which is why you…
“The Police-Community Divide”
Best 22 minutes you’re going to hear about the current state of policing. My colleague David Kennedy on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer show. I can’t thing of anything he said that I don’t agree with.
Recipe for Outrage
If you want to be outraged, I find the lack of more public protest over the police-involved killing of Akai Gurley odd. I mean, if you’re looking for an honest victim killed by police for no reason at all, why not focus on an honest victim killed for no reason at all (instead of say, a guy who robbed a…
Policing protests
Just a few examples of effective policing with regards to protesters. From Kriston Capps at Citylab: In essence, Nashville’s police department made a decision to treat the protests like a parade, an event at which the law enforcement role is to provide security, not confront danger. Police even shut down a highway for the protesters when protesters were going to…
“Bill slanders his cops”
Heather Mac Donald writing in the Daily News makes some sense.
“When Cops Violate Civil Rights, It’s City Taxpayers Who Pay”
From Citilab. As a taxpaying city resident, I don’t like having to foot the bill for bad behavior. (I also don’t think cities should be so quick to settle.) My solution is give whatever money the city is now paying out to the police department budget. Raise the police budget by that much. And we’re talking millions. And then tell…
Hey, I’m quoted in the Economist!
And I managed not to swear. But it might be behind a paywall. If so, here is the good parts version: Even undercounting, America easily outguns other rich countries: in the year to March 2013 police in England and Wales fired weapons three times and killed no one. Such comparisons should be read in context. America’s police operate in a…
Police killing whites and blacks
A lot of people really believe that cops are out there gunning for blacks. People who know more about police officers find this absurd. Of course black lives do indeed matter. But other things being equal (like committing a violent crime), are cops more likely to shoot and kill blacks because they are black? That’s an empirical question worth trying…
Just a few racist comments
Very recently I received two absurdly racist comments to a post. (A popular post from a google search, ie: not a regular copinthehood reader). My question is this: Why are RACIST COMMENTS TO THIS BLOG ALWAYS WRITTEN WITH THE CAPLOCKS KEY ON!?!?!? I’ve been writing this blog for seven years now. And, as Blogger tells me, I have written 2,048…