5 apps to help change the world

Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street-era's I'm Getting Arrested app, Stop and Frisk Watch was created by Jason Van Anden in collaboration with the New York Civil Liberties Union to hold the NYPD accountable for its controversial application of the stop and frisk policy.

"We thought, sadly, this sort of technology would be useful for black and Latino men, who are often disproportionately targeted by police," said Jennifer Carnig, Director of Communications at the New York Civil Liberties Union.

The free smartphone app allows witnesses of police abuse to film the encounter and alert other app users, including civil rights groups working on the issue, when an incident is occurring.

The videos are reviewed by the civil rights organization and used to support their anti-police abuse efforts with partners. The app also includes a "Know Your Rights" section with information for those being confronted or arrested by police.

In 2013, a federal judge ruled that the NYPD's stop and frisk policy illegally targeted African-Americans and Latinos and was deemed unconstitutional. But the practice is not unique to New York. Now, the NYCLU wants to introduce the Stop and Frisk Watch app to other cities and countries.

Available on iOS and Android.

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