Law enforcement agencies across New York state have a chance to tap into the industry\u2019s latest technology through the Division of Criminal Justice Services\u2019 Law Enforcement Technology Grant Program. It will go toward modernizing equipment and streamlining information sharing capabilities.<\/p>\n
Last year, more than $127 million<\/a> was awarded to 378 law enforcement agencies across the state. This year, $100 million is available<\/a>.<\/p>\n Division of Criminal Justice Services Executive Deputy Commission Joseph Popcun said the grant program\u2019s goal is to help agencies with their public safety goals.<\/p>\n \u201cThe more tools and technology and equipment we can give to the officers, the better job they can do,\u201d Popcun said.<\/p>\n The city of Binghamton, which was awarded LETECH Grant Program funding previously, says the award has so far has made a difference for its police department. The funds allowed for the purchases of a new 3D crime scene laser scanner, drones, automated license plate readers, fixed police cameras, electric police bikes, mobile command units, and more. Binghamton\u2019s Police Chief John Ryan credits this new tech, in part, to the department\u2019s ability to now solve crimes more efficiently.<\/p>\n \u201cI think some of these devices that are utilized can reduce the amount of manpower involved in police investigations or particular tasks for a scene or in processing crime scenes,\u201d Ryan said.<\/p>\n Some of the tech purchased to protect the public is now facing backlash from the public, such as automated license plate readers\u2014including the AI powered Flock Safety cameras that media outlets across the country have reported as being vandalized and removed by community members<\/a>.<\/p>\n Josh Dolan with Flock Off Ithaca says the issue to ALPRs is centered around concerns of mass surveillance, privacy, data sharing, and misuse.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are really showing that the American populace really doesn\u2019t want to be surveilled all the time, we want to have a right to privacy, we want to be able to travel from point A to Point B without the authorities knowing where we\u2019re going, who we\u2019re seeing,\u201d Dolan said.<\/p>\n Several municipalities across the state have terminated contracts with Flock Safety, citing concerns around privacy and data.<\/p>\n But the city of Binghamton says its LPRs aren\u2019t going anywhere.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not going to cancel the contract,\u201d Mayor Jared Kraham said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to continue to have LPRs in the city of Binghamton.\u201d<\/p>\n Kraham says he is aware of the public concern.<\/p>\n \u201cThe LPR systems that exist in, certainly in Binghamton and in law enforcement, are being used responsibly and they\u2019re being used to solve crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe LPR systems that exist, certainly in Binghamton and in law enforcement, are being used responsibly and they\u2019re being used to solve crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryan says it\u2019s important for cities using this technology to ensure their policies do not erode trust within the communities they\u2019re protecting.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t rebuild that community trust in police operations overnight,\u201d Ryan said. \u201cIf it\u2019s violated, persons responsible need to be held accountable and the agencies need to, you know, look within to see how to better protect that from occurring and ensure legitimate operations to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n To be eligible for the grant funding, Gov. Kathy Hochul\u2019s office says all agencies applying must be in compliance with the recently enacted Local Cops, Local Crimes act<\/a>, which bans local police from participating in federal immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n