Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has an aggressive 2019 to-do list, including restricting the public release of mugshots and booking information in New York state.

This decision is certainly controversial, especially among right-leaning New York residents. I am certainly in favor of second chances, but people with proven violent tendencies should be easily identifiable. Because of this, mugshots being made available to the public is a necessity.

“My concern isn’t so much about safety, police will still have these records if they remit, it’s about freedom of information,” said Roy Gutterman, director of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications’ Tully Center for Free Speech.

I agree with Cuomo’s point that we shouldn’t ruin someone’s entire life due to a single act. It’s important that we eliminate unnecessary obstacles to success. But, the more pressing concern is freedom of information.

Cuomo puts the public release of mugshots as an “unwanted invasion of personal privacy” that can forever affect job and life prospects. Cuomo pointed to the fact that there are websites which post mugshots and booking information. Those mugshots can be taken down if the person pays, but not everyone can afford to pay to have their pictures taken down.

There’s certainly a right to privacy, but a breach of law is a justified reason to not be entitled to that right. It’s the public’s right to know whether or not their neighbors were arrested.

Cuomo’s proposal to classify mugshots and booking information presents an optimistic vision, but it has some pitfalls. If the government is to serve the people in court, the results should be reported back to the people.

Harrison Garfinkle is a communication and rhetorical studies major. His column runs biweekly. He can be reached at hgarfink@syr.edu.

Published on January 30, 2019 at 10:40 pm