Portsmouth, NH - Police Body Camera Petition - 2020

Portsmouth NH

06 August, 2020

4:22 PM

Description

A few weeks ago I started a petition for Portsmouth, NH PD, and the Portsmouth Police Commission to adopt body cameras. The petition now as of writing has 625 supporters, In just over two weeks. Seacoast Online ran a brief article on the petition when it had about 200 supporters, but I am looking to gain more traction.  I have been in correspondence with the Chair of the Police Commission - Joe Onosko. He says that body cameras "would be a complete waste of money", even though it would only cost them $125,000. That is 0.1% of the city's $120 million yearly budget, and 1% of the PPD's $12.1 million yearly budget. Portsmouth police do not even have dash cameras, and there is no accountability. Body cameras have been shown to hold police accountable, as well as reduced use of force, reduced citizen complaints, increased officer productivity, and improved judicial / court outcomes. This year more than ever it is time that my city adopt body cameras for our police. It's time our police are held accountable, and the public feel safer. Please take a look at the petition linked here (http://chng.it/y9YkzkSS), as it has links to many articles on the matter, and puts into words far more than I have written here.