To the Editor:

Re “How Facial Recognition Makes You Safer,” by James O’Neill , the New York City police commissioner (The Privacy Project, Op-Ed, June 10):

Mr. O’Neill should heed the warning about facial recognition from San Francisco, which recently prohibited its agencies from using the powerful but flawed technology .

There are numerous issues with its use, none of which are resolved by the N.Y.P.D.’s lack of transparency. For example, facial recognition is more likely to be inaccurate when used on images of people of color, disproportionately affecting our clients at the Legal Aid Society.

While facial recognition should be banned, at a minimum transparen cy is necessary. The public deserves more information from the N.Y.P.D. on this new tool and how it is used.

Thankfully, the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act is pending in the New York City Council . The legislation would shine a light on this technology and the N.Y.P.D.’s other unchecked surveillance tool s, like automated license plate readers. The Council cannot delay any longer and must pass the POST Act now.