Art by Dave Dixon: http://BlackCollarPolitics.com

Welcome To Cop Block’s Involvement Page!

Cop Block is a decentralized project supported by a diverse group of individuals united by their shared goals of police accountability, education of individual rights and the dissemination of effective tactics to utilize while filming police.

We seek to highlight the double standard that some grant to those with badges. By documenting police actions – whether they are illegal, immoral or just a waste of time and resources – then calling the police stations involved (ideally while recording and then later sharing your conversation), we can work together to bring about transparency and have a real impact.

In addition to this direct pressure on police departments we want to be an educational resource on institutional changes that would curtail the common rights-violations and unaccountability today by those with badges and a place to showcase different techniques, viewpoints and courses of action.

Below are a variety of ways that YOU can contribute to Cop Block’s growth.

SUPPORT OUR OUTREACH & EDUCATION EFFORTS

We operate on a shoestring budget. If you like what we’re about and have a few bucks in your pocket please donate to help us have a bigger impact and get some Cop Block gear for yourself!

SHARE COPBLOCK’S WEBSITE & SOCIAL NETWORKS

Connect with and tell your friends about Cop Block. This is a quick and easy way to show your support and stay informed.

CopBlock.org Homepage

PARTICIPATE IN CALL FOODS

Let those who purport to ‘serve and protect’ you know what you think about their actions. The actual time required to partake in a Call Flood depends on how far you want to push the issue – it could be a few minutes – you expressing your disapproval the police for their actions without giving up personal information or it could be weeks or months if you want to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and/or formal complaint.

Whichever method you choose, we hope you document it. Remember, you’re always welcome to say you’re a blogger (freelanced writer) for Cop Block. We have an email address (CopBlock[at]gmail[dot]com) available for your use if you want to keep your information private.

For current call floods check out the Call Floods tab. For previous call floods check out the posts tagged with the categories Call Flood and Updates.

TAKE PHOTOS OF POLICE & SHARE THEM

Take photos of cops. Even if they aren’t doing anything illegal or wrong (though it certainly doesn’t hurt if they are) and upload them to this album on Facebook. Doing so will change the Statist quo (not a typo) and encourage others to monitor police action.

This can be as simple as snapping a photo while heading to work, doing errands, or if the police show up on your block. Depending on your camera (or phone), this could take less then a minute. And the more often you do so the more comfortable you’ll be when and if you observe a dicey situation.

If the police in the picture are breaking the law or if you have a few extra minutes, politely ask the officer(s) their name and badge number and document it along with the time, date, and location. These pictures are featured on Friday’s Finest and/or Call Flood posts.

If you don’t have a Facebook account or don’t want to post them there, feel free to email photos to us at CopBlock[at]gmail[dot]com

SHOOT A VIDEO & SHARE IT VIA COPBLOCK

Capture video of police activity you witness or in which you yourself are involved. We recognize that not everyone is a professional video editor nor does everyone have a top-notch editing program at their disposal. That’s ok – we don’t have any requirements for videos submitted (length, titling, editing, etc.). We’re much more interested in showcasing people exercising their rights and in helping to facilitate the subsequent educational gains from sharing your video.

Videos submitted to Cop Block can address traffic stops, phone calls, police brutality, police breaking traffic and parking laws and even just police encounters in general. We never want good video content to go to waste so hit us up if you think we can help and we’ll see what we can do.

WRITE FOR COPBLOCK OR BECOME GUEST BLOGGER

If you currently write about police wrongdoings or have an interest in doing so, contact us. Let us know what topics you want to focus on, how frequently you can contribute and any other related info. Or, if you’re unable to contribute on a regular basis you can just write a single entry about a topic that interests you or content you captured. These can be sent to us via email: CopBlock[at]gmail[dot]com

PROVIDE FEEDBACK & IDEAS

Leave comments on our blog, Facebook page, Tweets, and other outlets. Whether you have praise, constructive criticism or opposing views, they’re all welcome and appreciated.

Also, let us know what ideas you have to help advance Cop Block and it’s pro-police accountability mission. If we’re receptive to your input and you’re so-inclined, hopefully we can work together to see it implemented.

This site will be what we as a community make of it. If you wish to post your content on your own (or another) site, no worries. Just give us a heads-up about your upcoming post and we’ll re-post it (with a proper link, of course) or find some other way to promote it. Thanks in advance!