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Hands Up app helps people document police brutality

Duncan Kirkwood is a black man weary and wary of being checked by cops. He has created what he calls a Hands Up For Justice app that would allow a smartphone to document police abuse and send a signal for help. He joins us to tell us more about the app's function.
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Duncan Kirkwood, creator of the Hands Up for Justice app, says the problem isn't racist police; it's a system that doesn't bring them to justice. So he made an app for that problem. (http://www.handsuptheapp.com/)
The Current8:32Hands Up app helps people document police brutality - May 7, 2015

"Just think what would've happened if Travon Martin had had my app?" - Duncan Kirkwood, creator of the Hands Up 4 Justice app

We've been covering the Baltimore protests sparked by the death of a black man named Freddie Gray who died in police custody. But before Baltimore, there were protests in Ferguson, New York and Florida.

There have been repeated stories of black men and women being hurt and killed by police. And there has been much talk on how to make things better.

The police, community organizers, even the President of the United States have weighed in. But like so much in this world today, the answers might partly be in our evolving technology. And a number of smartphone apps have hit the market designed to keep tabs on the police.

Duncan Kirkwood has developed an app called Hands Up 4 Justice and he joined us from Montgomery, Alabama.


This segment was produced by The Current's Marc Apollonio.

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