NAACP Harnesses Cell Phone Power to Launch New High Tech “Rapid Report System” to Help Citizens Report Police Misconduct —Part of Sweeping New Civil Rights Initiative on Crime and Safety
December 31, 1969
Monday July 13th 12 noon
NY Hilton Ave. of the
Americas
An innovative national program to help fight crime in American
cities and towns will be unveiled Monday, July 13th at the NAACP
Centennial Convention in New York City.
The initiative includes a bold new online effort, the NAACP Rapid
Report System (RRS), a quick, effective way for citizens to report
instances of police misconduct, and to help public safety officials
move beyond the “tough on crime” policies that have lost their
effectiveness.
The Rapid Report System will be available starting July 6,
through the NAACP website (www.naacp.org). The user-friendly online
RRS form will allow residents to send instant texts, emails, or
video reports of police abuse to the association via cell
phone.
Benjamin Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP, said the
initiative is part of a wider Criminal Justice strategy called
"Smart and Safe,” that the NAACP will be launching during its
Centennial Year.
“Nationwide, more than 26,000 citizen complaints of police officer
use of force were filed with state and local law enforcement
agencies in 2002. However, because many incidents are not reported,
this number does not capture the full magnitude of the problem,”
Jealous said.
“Research has shown that there are many barriers to reporting
incidents of police misconduct, including intimidation at police
departments and a lack of trust in the integrity of the system,
among other reasons. This breakdown leads to an absence of public
safety and a deterioration of the quality of life in many
communities of color. But public safety is a civil and a human
right; and so we want a more accurate count of these incidents,”
Jealous said.
"We know that most of police officers around the nation are
excellent public servants. But the few who violate people's rights
are often not held accountable. We hope to improve the relationship
between our community and law enforcement officers -- which is the
best way to create the trust needed for police to effectively solve
crimes," Jealous said.
The Rapid Report System will be demonstrated for attendees at the NAACP Centennial Convention July 11-16th at the New York Hilton. More information on the full Convention schedule is available at www.naacp.org.
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members in the U.S. around the world advocate for civil and human rights, conducting voter mobilization campaigns, and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
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