Activists Give Cameras to Ferguson Residents to Record Police Encounters

For every police officer in Ferguson wearing a camera to record encounters with the public, there soon may be two residents equipped with small cameras of their own to watch police.

A California-based group called We Copwatch raised more than $6,000 to purchase 110 of the small devices.

On Saturday, the group joined Ferguson-based activists the Canfield Watchmen and began distributing the cameras and training residents in their use, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch  reports.

“With these cameras, we will have the ability to challenge the police narrative,” said David Whitt, spokesman for the Canfield Watchmen.

Last month, two companies donated about 50 body cameras to the Ferguson Police Department.

St. Louis County police began distributing cameras to its officers last week, with the goal of equipping all 465 patrol officers as soon as possible.