Mandate Safety Interlocks With Penalties for DHS Equipment

I just wrote this to my Senators (and spoke with my Representative's staff).

Dear Senator and Staff,
I am David August, voter in [zip code].

Short summary:
DHS must enforce constitutional protections in all ways, including via tech interlocks: disabling or failing to enable safety systems on vehicles and equipment should be a federal felony (with years of prison as penalty) to prevent abuse and fatalities.

Longer statement:
DHS must have iron clad, risking-prison-if-they-fail, administrative and engineering systems set up with all their equipment and procedures to stop them from excessive force, civil rights violations and murder. Constitutional Protections must be enforced by both the personnel of DHS and the objects they use. Engineering safety interlocks already exist for many of their systems, pieces of equipment and weapons, and Congress must demand they be used at all times.

For example: DHS components (like ICE and CBP) have purchased, for instance, many Chevy Tahoes. Chevy Tahoes have have built-in pedestrian breaking systems for both the front and rear. These systems help prevent the vehicle from running pedestrians over. Chevy Tahoes also come with build-in top speed limit systems that (using the built in camera and navigation systems) can limit the top speed they’ll go. Taxpayers have already paid for these installed systems, and these systems must have the force of law require their deployment 24/7/365.

The US Congress should pass law that makes it a federal felony (perhaps 5 years in prison) for any one, including all federal personnel and contractors, to disable or fail to use the pedestrian breaking systems on any vehicles they use. We will never want them to be deliberately hitting pedestrians. It should also be a federal felony, with similar consequence, to disable or fail to use the top speed limiters on any vehicles they use. We never want them doing dangerous high speed chases as they have before, to fatal impact.

In the 21st Century, technologies exist to limit how machines may be misused by law enforcement. Before DHS gets another penny, they must be forced, under penalty of prison, to have their devices and gear limit their ability to hurt and kill the public.

[You can write or call your Senators and Representative too.]

© Copyright March 12, 2025, David August, all rights reserved davidaugust.com

David August is an award-winning actor, acting coach, writer, director, and producer. He plays a role in the movie Dependent’s Day, and after its theatrical run, it’s now out on Amazon (affiliate link). He has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC, on the TV show Ghost Town, and many others. His artwork has been used and featured by multiple writers, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, and others to express visually. Off-screen, he has worked at ad agencies, start-ups, production companies, and major studios, helping them tell stories their customers and clients adore. He has guest lectured at USC’s Marshall School of Business about the Internet.