Uh, did you know the NYPD was using X-ray vans? We certainly didn't. 

Now that we do, we're certainly not stoked about it.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton is keeping his lips sealed about the situation after the NYCLU requested to file an amicus brief that argued the NYPD should have to release records about the X-ray vans.

"They're not used to scan people for weapons," Bratton told the New York Post, regarding the vans. "The devices we have, the vehicles if you will, are all used lawfully and if the ACLU and others don't think that's the case, we'll see them in court - where they'll lose!"

When asked for more specific details about the devices themselves, Bratton remained cryptic. 

"Those are issues I'd prefer not to divulge to the public at this time," Bratton said. "I will not talk anything at all about this - it falls into the range of security and counter-terrorism activity that we engage in."

It turns out that there's been quite a bit of legal activity already leading up to the surveillance provided by X-ray vans. 

New York State Supreme Court Judge Doris Ling-Cohan ruled that the department should have to turn over their records, even though the NYPD claimed that disclosing information would interfere with investigations.

"The hallmark of our great nation is that it is a democracy, with a transparent government," wrote Ling-Cohan in her December 2014 decision.

The NYPD has since appealed Ling-Cohan's decision. As a result, the NYCLU requested to file and amicus brief urging the appeals court to rule the same way as the original court, with transparency in regards to X-ray vans.

Basically, they think we have the right to know if we're being watched with X-rays.

"People should be informed if military-grade X-ray vans are damaging their health with radiation or peering inside their homes or cars," said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. "New Yorkers have a right to protect their health, welfare, and privacy."

Via as-e.com

So are police using X-ray vans to peer under your coat, through the walls of buildings, and in your car? The answer is possibly. Just possibly, that might be the case.

The X-ray vans reportedly cost between $729,000 and $825,000, but little is known about how the NYPD puts them to use.

This is a classic situation where liberty and safety seem mutually exclusive. We love being safe, but we'd prefer if the NYPD would inform the public about their use of X-ray vans. We'll keep you updated as we learn more about the trial.

Check out 6 Landmarks That New Yorkers Definitely Miss the Most.

[via NY Post]

[Feature Image Courtesy Alternative-News.tk]