NOPD defends suspension of real-time facial recognition alerts despite years of use

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The New Orleans Police Department is holding firm on its April decision to suspend real-time facial recognition alerts from Project NOLA cameras, even as the City Council weighs updates to surveillance policy.

Bryan Lagarde, executive director of Project NOLA, released emails he sent to NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick urging her to review the department’s facial recognition policy. He pointed to the more than 5,000 Project NOLA cameras positioned across the city and called for clarity.

“We met in this office and as a result, it was affirmed what we were doing is in accordance with city code and NOPD policy,” Lagarde said.

According to Lagarde, Kirkpatrick assured him that providing live alerts for wanted individuals did not violate department policy. He emphasized that the goal of Project NOLA’s alerts is to assist with the immediate arrest of known suspects, not to monitor subjects of ongoing investigations.

“If the NOPD wanted to re-evaluate what’s going on, please do it quickly so we can get back to our work,” Lagarde said.

Whether NOPD will eventually reinstate real-time alerts remains uncertain. In the meantime, the City Council is actively reviewing potential changes to the city ordinance that governs the use of surveillance technologies.

“We are looking at the use of the technology,” said Councilman Eugene Green. “Just like we look at the use of drone technology, just like we look at the use of wire taps and the like, we have the ability to look at those things. We want to make sure the processes are followed correctly and the purpose is to make our citizens safer.”

Green added that he believes proper safeguards are in place to prevent abuse of the technology.

“I am confident that the members of our New Orleans Police Department will use the technology that is available to them in the responsible way and the constitutional way,” Green said. “Facial recognition is a tool that when combined with others can keep our citizens safer.”

Among the proposed ordinance amendments are banning third-party camera agreements made on behalf of the city, while granting the NOPD limited use of facial recognition technology during violent crimes or when locating missing persons.

FOX 8 asked Councilman Oliver Thomas whether the proposed changes aim to distance the city from Project NOLA and whether the city plans to invest in its facial recognition network.

Thomas said, “We’re going to continue working on that. There is no determination, no final ordinance has been drawn. The main empatice here is to close the gap on what just happened.”

When asked how NOPD would receive real-time alerts if Project NOLA cameras are no longer used, Thomas responded:“I think that determination will be made in terms of how the cameras will be used, what cameras will be used. The ordinance is not final yet and when we get to that, we will have answers for all of that.”

A spokesperson for the NOPD reaffirmed the department’s current stance. “The superintendent stands by the statement provided to you on May 19. We welcome Project NOLA working with us to utilize camera technology in a way that includes transparency and accountability and adheres to both NOPD and city guidelines to ensure public trust in its use. As of this writing, the NOPD has not yet received a response from Project NOLA to our latest request for information to address our concerns regarding review of the technology’s use.”

FOX 8 has asked NOPD to clarify what specific information was requested from Project NOLA. As of now, there has been no response.

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