Shawn Segal

Shawn has also seen his city land in the national spotlight, with law enforcement and immigration accountability, data sharing, use of force, and surveillance forced to the center of the national conversation. When law enforcement is transparent and accountable, and the public believes in that accountability, the public safety system can work effectively. When the interests of local, state, and federal authorities diverge or become opposite, the systems connecting them no longer make sense, as they were built at a time when those agencies' values aligned.

Shawn's views on surveillance are complicated. If crime were eliminated tomorrow, he would gladly be out of a job (and would go work on a farm or in construction). Until that day, responsible public safety tools are needed to prevent and investigate crimes. Yes trust is earned, and when agencies and vendors try to obscure or hide what they do - they serve only themselves. However when surveillance vendors, law enforcement agencies, and governments put in the effort to be transparent and earn trust, our ability to highlight these positive practices end up being the best part of our work.