Art by Mask
NYPD Accidentally Gets What They Asked For
It should just go without saying that the trolls — and sometimes the uncomfortable truths of the matter — will always find their way into the fold.
Using Twitter hashtags to organize a brand in the so-called 'real world' is always a risky move. Like a few weeks ago when a news helicopter went down in Seattle, and news anchors flipped through hashtagged photos on Twitter and got a dose of the ungovernable hashtag [NSFW].
Well, the NYPD made just this mistake this afternoon when they issued this call for selfies with NYC's finest:
Do you have a photo w/ a member of the NYPD? Tweet us & tag it #myNYPD. It may be featured on our Facebook. pic.twitter.com/mE2c3oSmm6
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 22, 2014Whose NYPD exactly? Mine? I don't think so. Apparently, neither does the internet:
Thank GOD for #myNYPD. They stopped this dangerous man from crossing the street. pic.twitter.com/rCWbdqUmAJ
— the tiny raccoon (@thetinyraccoon) April 22, 2014#myNYPD pic.twitter.com/sJiyH5VvmS
— Pink Edge (@PinkXEdge) April 22, 2014#myNYPD shot 9 innocent bystanders near the Empire State Bldg just to get one guy pic.twitter.com/5e1dZLnri2
— Copwatch (@Copwatch) April 22, 2014@OccupyWallStNYC
#myNYPD keeping me safe by tackling me to the ground, punching me & arresting me (1) pic.twitter.com/fmzKFAJrtx
— JnL Radikal Media (@JNLRM) April 22, 2014Need a lift? The #NYPD's got you! Free Delivery, Only at #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/AStS3ZjoZu
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) April 22, 2014RT @OccupyWallStNYC: NYPD engages w community members, changing hearts & minds 1 baton at a time #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/EPPIOwErwx || #NotBundy
— David Waldman (@KagroX) April 22, 2014how #myNYPD treats 16 year olds who say "no" to being stopped and frisked: https://t.co/awb00Qxeon pic.twitter.com/MhyArnHKXK
— DefendedInTheStreets (@KimaniFilm) April 22, 2014@NYPDnews #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/aA7aQD1wYT
— Jeff Smith (@Jeff5mith) April 22, 2014Every white shirt has to get in on the brutality, right @NYPDnews #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/bnXw0y6Uch
— [OAKLAND]ASM (@OLAASM) April 22, 2014In the context of this public relations fiasco, even this last pic is kinda disgusting:
#myNYPD my brother Sean! So proud of him! pic.twitter.com/CR4b9us0fG
— Jeanne C. (@cjcam918) April 22, 2014So, there you have it. Twitter.
Tyler Reinhard is a social technology critic, developer, designer of the acclaimed privacy app Signal, and the co-founder and designer of Mask Magazine.
