Technology ensures transparency

Giving police “teeth in order to take bad actors out of a particular area” (“Exclusion Zone gets a Tougher Makeover”, Oct. 2, 2024) has led to unconscionable violence throughout human history. Fortunately, technology has provided a way to ensure justice through transparency.

Police body cameras go a long way toward protecting peace officers from false accusation and the public from abuse. The article didn’t mention body cameras, but surely we can trust the Medford police to make sure that their cameras are on and functioning before approaching bad actors.

Another gesture of goodwill would be to make all body camera video available for public viewing to assure the public that justice is being done, that no one is hiding anything, and to demonstrate our officers’ fine behavior — privacy can be assured with face-blurring software that is cheap and easy to use.

Ransom Stephens /Ashland