My own PSA: July 25, 2025
A bill introduced in the Michigan legislature by Democratic lawmakers would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing masks or otherwise concealing their identity while interacting with the public. The bill, named "Justice Needs No Mask," also mandates that officers display their name or badge number and the name or initials of their law enforcement agency. Exceptions would be made for undercover operations, hazardous environments, and situations requiring protective gear for disease prevention. Violations of the proposed law could result in a 90-day jail sentence and/or a $1,000 fine.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Betsy Coffia, cited concerns about the use of masked federal agents, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement, and the potential for impersonation and criminal activity. She argued that transparency and accountability are crucial for maintaining public trust in law enforcement. While some police agencies already adhere to similar transparency measures, Coffia stated that the bill is a response to recent incidents where masked individuals engaged in what appeared to be violent kidnappings or detentions, according to a Michigan news article.
The bill has faced criticism, with some arguing that it unfairly targets law enforcement and could put officers in danger. However, Rep. Coffia says it is a necessary step to ensure public safety and accountability. The bill is similar to one introduced in the US Senate by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, MI reports WWMT, and has the support of some Democratic lawmakers in the state.
Comments
The public currently has NO FRICKIN IDEA who these masked toy personal or soldiers are. If there's nothing to hide then don't hide it.
Story #1 ”Imagine you’re walking down the street and a stranger snaps your photo with his smartphone. He uses a facial recognition app and within minutes, he knows your name, age, where you were born, and your Social Security number. Think it’s a scene from the movie Minority Report? Think again.”
Story #2 “In the second experiment, they discovered the identities of students walking on campus, by linking images of their faces to those of their Facebook profiles. Photographs of students’ faces also eventually led researchers to guess their personal interests and, in some cases, their Social Security numbers …”
Story #3 ”When Kelly Conlon, a lawyer, tried to join her daughter's Girl Scout troop at a Rockettes performance the weekend after Thanksgiving, the venue scanned her face and barred her entry. Conlon reportedly appeared on an "attorney exclusion list" created by Radio City Music Hall's parent company, MSG Entertainment, “
Story #4 “ Have you ever wondered if the stores you shop at are watching you? Not just with security cameras. With something more advanced and creepy. Something that can recognize your face and identify who you are, where you live, what you like, and what you buy. Something that can track your every move and use your data for their own benefit. Well, guess what? They are. That’s right, some of the biggest retailers in this country are secretly using sneaky facial recognition technology in their stores.”