Cummings Briefed by BPD Commissioner Davis on Aerial Surveillance Program

Washington, D.C. (September 1, 2016)— Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) received a briefing from Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis on the Department’s aerial surveillance program.  Last week, following reports of the previously-unknown program, Cummings requested a briefing from Commissioner Davis.  The Congressman issued the following statement after the briefing: 

“I thank Commissioner Kevin Davis for providing me with a detailed briefing on the aerial surveillance program implemented by the Baltimore City Police Department in January.  In our meeting, I expressed my concerns regarding the secret implementation of the program, and I urged the Commissioner to welcome a robust public discussion to determine how we can balance public safety and the constitutional right to privacy of every Baltimore resident.  If we are going to rebuild the relationship between the police and the community, transparency must be paramount.”