NYPD's Use of Faulty AI Leads to Wrongful Arrest of Innocent Black Man

In April, a Black man named Trevis Williams, 36, was wrongfully arrested in New York City for allegedly exposing himself, despite not fitting the victim’s description. His arrest stemmed from a misidentification by facial recognition technology used by NYPD investigators. Williams, who stands 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 230 pounds, was identified following a review of mug shots by the victim, who had previously reported a delivery man as the suspect. The victim described the flasher as significantly shorter and lighter than Williams.Williams spent over 48 hours in jail before getting charged with indecent exposure, despite presenting evidence that his cellphone records placed him far from the scene during the crime. Advocates and lawyers are now urging an investigation into the NYPD’s facial recognition practices, pointing out the risks posed by such unreliable technology. They emphasize that these incidents highlight broader concerns regarding civil rights and the potential for wrongful arrests across communities. (Photos: Surveillance Technology Oversight Project and Trevis Williams)