Packed house urges FPC to reject facial recognition technology for MPD

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- At Thursday's, Feb. 5, Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission meeting (FPC), dozens of people spoke out against facial recognition technology (FRT). 

The commission is debating whether to allow the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) to use that technology. 

An expert from New York University presented the pros and cons Thursday night on what to know before implementing FRT, but first, many people spoke out during public comment. 

"The harm is not theoretical," said Nadiyah Johnson, Milky Way Tech Hub. "The harm is real. It impacts real people." 

The consensus was resounding; dozens of community members who packed the FPC meeting room and hallway outside want the city to reject FRT. 

MPD proposed using the technology last April, saying it helps provide leads and identify potential suspects for violent crimes. 

There would be no cost. Instead, MPD would share 2.5 million pieces of data with the company behind the technology. 

“Milwaukee’s residents should not be treated as a data set. We should not pay with our privacy," said State Director of Common Cause Wisconsin Bianca Shaw. "We should not pay with our rights. And we should not pay with our safety.” 

The data that would be shared would include mugshots and photos. 

“Having a mugshot on file does not mean that you’ve been convicted of a crime," said Milwaukee resident Matthew Maske. 

Concerns include privacy issues and racial bias. 

A policy expert gave a presentation that explained how the technology works, what it's supposed to do, and the pros and cons of implementing it.

“If law enforcement is going to use this powerful technology, it has to use it subject to guardrails that protect our rights and liberties," said Katie Kinsey, NYU Policing Project expert. 

Kinsey said a persistent problem is a lack of transparency with how the technology is used. 

At first chance for the commissioners to speak on the issue, they acknowledged the concerns.

“There was no community dialogue about use of facial recognition technology," said FPC Commissioner Jeff Spence. 

Among the people who spoke out against it were people who have been racially profiled in the past.

“They punish people. And there’s no presumption of innocence when you’re being watched all the time," said Paul Smith, Oneida Tribal member.

So did the sister of Alvin Cole, Taleavia Cole, who was shot and killed by then Wauwatosa Officer Joseph Mensah in 2020. 

“There’s going to be more protests if you allow this to happen," said Taleavia Cole.