The ACLU of Northern California is issuing a free app for taking secure videos of police action, the civil liberties organization announced.
Called Mobile Justice CA, the app allows people to take videos that are automatically sent to the ACLU of California where they are preserved in case the phones are taken or destroyed.
In addition, when in use, the ACLU app alerts others nearby who have the app that there is an incident.
With videos of law enforcement actions continuing to be flash points around the country, the ACLU app appears to be a tool for countering instances when police try to confiscate cellphones, as happened last month in South Gate, a south eastern town in Los Angeles County.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a deputy U.S. marshal confiscated a person s smartphone and attempted to smash it on the ground.
Similar apps have been created in other states, such as Oregon, Missouri and New York.
Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California, told Reuters:
It s critical that people understand what is being done by police officers, because what is being done is being done in the name of the public.
Above: A screenshot from the app s website.
