Another week, another prompt inspired by "We Own This City," David Simon's currently-running HBO miniseries about the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force. Per the show's themes, we're continuing to explore the local tech community's feelings on how police in Baltimore currently use technology. 

Today, we offer Impact Hub Baltimore cofounder and executive director Michelle Geiss's thoughts on policing, technology, surveillance and their combined impact in Baltimore: 

"More surveillance moves more resources and power into a police department that has long ago lost the trust of Baltimore residents. ...We need to shift more power and resources into the hands of the community if we want to see real change. The UK dedicates robust social services to its residents, which I would venture to say has a more outsized impact on crime than surveillance. Baltimore's issues are tied to disinvestment and racism. Drones and robots and AI will just get us more of the same if other things don't change."

Geiss followed up on these thoughts with more reflections: "Surface[-level] solutions leave systems of abuse and neglect in place to continue to perpetuate harm and disinvestment. ... People and resources and policy decisions that respect the dignity and rights of our citizens are the best chance we've got. "

Do you agree? Let us know how you feel about police technology and "We Own This City" by replying to this email or sending a note to [email protected], anytime.

—Technical.ly reporter Donte Kirby ([email protected])