<aside> 🗣 “Architecture of Surveillance” refers to various elements of human-based and electronic-based systems, technologies, programs, and spatial practices that the LAPD and policing partnerships around the world use to surveil us.
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In your everyday environment, there are people (analog forms of surveillance) and cameras watching you, capturing your image, and judging your behavior.
You are turned into data—whether it is by people filling out reports or using machines—that is processed within larger systems.
Within physical centers and through digital platforms, your data is analyzed, managed, stored, and shared.
Policing models and programs justify the collection and use of your data. In turn, your data is used to justify more surveillance.
→ an officer on Patrols stops you and fills out a Field Interview Card (FI Card) → the data generated from that FI card is then entered into a Records Management System (RMS) and accessible from a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) → police have now connected you to a Neighborhood Engagement Areas (NEAs) as part of their Data-Informed Community-Focused Policing (DICFP) program
OR
→ you attended a protest and your image was captured by Helicopters, Body Worn Video (BWV), and Closed-circuit television (CCTV) → those images, along with Social media surveillance reports on your posts about the protest, are compiled in a database like Peregrine → that information is used by a Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) that is monitoring protestors as alleged “threats to the state”
This site is meant to be a community tool - for education, for storytelling, and for research and analysis. You can download PDFs, add filters and sorts to the database, and submit questions.
Don’t know where to start?
I want to:
→ find out more about the project / know my fight / get involved
→ learn how the Architecture of Surveillance operates
→ view timelines of LAPD surveillance and community fights
→ explore the AOS encyclopedia / change views with filters and sorts
→ access shareable materials / discover related projects