Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

demmiblue

(36,744 posts)
Wed Jun 24, 2020, 11:36 AM Jun 2020

Detroit police arrest wrong Black man based on facial recognition technology error, ACLU says

A 42-year-old Black man said Detroit police unjustly arrested him after facial recognition technology incorrectly flagged him as a shoplifting suspect.

Robert Williams was arrested in January at his home in Farmington Hills in front of his wife and two young daughters and locked up for 30 hours. He was accused of stealing watches from Shinola.

While in jail, police showed him two blurry surveillance photos of the suspect.

“This is not me,” Williams recalls saying in a video about his arrest. “I hope you all don’t think all Black people look alike.”

He said one of the officers responded, “The computer must have gotten it wrong.”

It wasn't until later that night that Williams was released from jail, his attorney, Victoria Burton-Harris, said.

The charges have been dismissed.

“But the damage is done, Burton-Harris, who is running for Wayne County prosecutor, wrote in an op-ed for the ACLU on Wednesday. "Robert’s DNA sample, mugshot, and fingerprints — all of which were taken when he arrived at the detention center — are now on file. His arrest is on the record. Robert’s wife, Melissa, was forced to explain to his boss why Robert wouldn’t show up to work the next day. Their daughters can never un-see their father being wrongly arrested and taken away — their first real experience with the police.”

https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2020/06/24/detroit-police-arrest-wrong-black-man-based-on-facial-recognition-technology-error-aclu-says





3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Detroit police arrest wrong Black man based on facial recognition technology error, ACLU says (Original Post) demmiblue Jun 2020 OP
A new specialty for the legal profession: grumpyduck Jun 2020 #1
3 points of confirmation zipplewrath Jun 2020 #2
Rashida Tlaib was blasted for saying this could happen ck4829 Jun 2020 #3

zipplewrath

(16,646 posts)
2. 3 points of confirmation
Wed Jun 24, 2020, 01:06 PM
Jun 2020

The immediate result is that all arrests and similar actions must be based upon two other items of identification. Anything from eye witnesses to DNA and anything in between. Facial recognition cannot be the only form of ID, especially one described as "fuzzy" images.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Michigan»Detroit police arrest wro...