In the second part of a two-part series for Anthropology Today, Professor Roberto J. González critically examines the rise of predictive policing tools, the political economy of modern policing, and how venture capital and Silicon Valley’s startup culture influence law enforcement practices in the United States.
Acoustic gunshot detection systems are an emerging algorithmic policing tool designed to record and locate gunfire based on sound or shock waves. While intended to help law enforcement quickly identify when and where gunshots occur, their reliability is questionable. González raises concerns regarding these systems, such as the rate of false positives, pressure on police resources, potential for false arrests, and racial bias.
These concerns are related to the increasing commercialization of policing tools, which is shaped by Silicon Valley’s startup model and venture capital investments. Startups focused on predictive policing and surveillance build strong relationships with law enforcement and policymakers through aggressive marketing, lobbying, and subscription-based services. In his article, González examines how this dynamic influences the political economy of policing and the risks this creates.
To better understand these developments, the article turns to anthropology, which provides critical insights into algorithmic policing. By revealing power structures, biases, and global implications, anthropology helps contextualize these technologies and their broader societal impact.
Discover the full article here and read the first part of this series here.
Photo by Francesco Ungaro
