License to Stereotype: How ALPR Searches Fuel Racism Against Roma Community

Hot Take:

When it comes to perpetuating harmful stereotypes, some law enforcement agencies seem to be stuck in the past—like, way past the age of dial-up internet. Using outdated and offensive terms to search for license plates is like trying to play a vinyl record on a Bluetooth speaker: it just doesn’t work. It’s 2023, folks! Time to update not just your tech, but also your vocabulary.

Key Points:

• Over 80 U.S. law enforcement agencies have used derogatory terms related to the Romani community in their license plate searches.
• Flock Safety automated license plate readers (ALPRs) have been misused for searches without crime association.
• Terms like “g*psy” and “roma” were used, perpetuating racial profiling.
• Agencies failed to flag these searches as inappropriate, highlighting systemic issues.
• EFF has called for accountability and reevaluation of Flock Safety’s systems in communities.

License to Ill: The Flock Safety Network

It seems that some law enforcement agencies took “Flock Safety” a bit too literally and decided to flock together under the banner of outdated stereotypes. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) found that more than 80 agencies used terms like “g*psy” and “roma” as reasons for searching license plate data. And no, they weren’t searching for a traveling circus or a Fleetwood Mac reunion tour. These terms were used as standalone reasons, sometimes without any mention of a crime. If this isn’t the digital equivalent of profiling, I don’t know what is.

Casual Racism: A National Pastime?

What’s worse than finding out that your favorite band is breaking up? Discovering that police departments across the U.S. are casually using racist language in their searches. Flock Safety’s ALPR system logs show that terms like “g*psy vehicle” and “roma traveler” were tossed around like confetti at a New Year’s party. The U.S. Department of State has already recognized “Anti-Roma Racism” as a serious issue, yet it seems like some cops missed that memo. Maybe they were too busy searching for “g*psy scams” instead of actual crimes?

Responses That Make You Go “Hmm…”

When confronted by the EFF, several police departments gave responses that would make even the most seasoned PR professional cringe. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office claimed they don’t support discriminatory practices, yet somehow managed to run searches for “G*PSY Scam” across thousands of devices. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Police Department assured us that their use of the term was purely for “investigative leads.” Because nothing says “lead” like a term that’s been deemed offensive for decades.

When Surveillance Turns Into Profiling

Surveillance technology was supposed to be the hero that saved us from crime, not the villain that deepened societal divides. Yet here we are, in 2023, with Flock Safety’s network inadvertently becoming a tool for racial profiling. The system’s misuse is a glaring example of how technology can amplify existing biases instead of eliminating them. It’s like giving a bullhorn to a mime—they’re going to make some noise, but it’s not going to be the kind you want to hear.

The Road to Accountability

EFF, along with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, has called for local governments to rethink their use of Flock Safety in their communities. It’s a step towards accountability, but it’s also like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. The fundamental problem lies in the system’s architecture, which makes it too easy for discriminatory practices to slip through the cracks. Until there’s a complete audit and overhaul, the risk remains that today’s surveillance tools will continue to be tomorrow’s profiling platforms.

So, what’s the takeaway here? Law enforcement agencies need to update not just their technology, but also their training and accountability measures. Let’s aim for a future where the “Flock” in Flock Safety stands for a community of informed, unbiased protectors, rather than a gaggle of outdated stereotypes.