While Baltimore City police are still in the midst of rolling out body cameras, the ACLU of Maryland is launching an app that’s designed to help citizens record interactions with police.
Mobile Justice MD is a free app on the Apple Store and Google Play that allows people to record police officers. The app, which multiple local branches of the ACLU are releasing in concert, then automatically sends the footage to the ACLU so the evidence can’t be destroyed. It also has a function that sends out an alert when someone is being approached by police, and an option to create an incident report.
Cellphone videos have played a big role in bringing national attention to police-involved killings. In Baltimore, activist Kevin Moore filmed police as they put Freddie Gray into a police van prior to his death. In fall 2014, two police brutality incidents in Baltimore came to light as a result of cellphone video. The ACLU says the app can also be used during protests.
“Now, those in communities experiencing racial profiling, over-policing, and military-style policing tactics, along with their allies, can record police encounters and be assured that the recording is safe,” said Susan Goering, the ACLU of Maryland’s executive director.
Before you go...
Please consider supporting Technical.ly to keep our independent journalism strong. Unlike most business-focused media outlets, we don’t have a paywall. Instead, we count on your personal and organizational support.
Join our growing Slack community
Join 5,000 tech professionals and entrepreneurs in our community Slack today!

20 entrepreneurship, tech and startup events to fill your February

These simple but crucial policy updates could be game-changers for entrepreneurs with disabilities

Tech-related orders and economic reorganizations hit Maryland. Here’s what they mean.
