When Citizen — a crime-tracking app previously known as “Vigilante” — came to Philly in 2019, Hans Menos, then-head of the Policy Advisory Com

Do crime-tracking apps like Citizen help or harm communities? | Pro/Con

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2021-09-12 16:30:04

When Citizen — a crime-tracking app previously known as “Vigilante” — came to Philly in 2019, Hans Menos, then-head of the Policy Advisory Commission, said: “One of the things that concerns me about these citizen-involved apps or platforms is they have a high potential for misuse. But, in general, I like the idea that people can be more aware of what’s going on in their neighborhood.”

The friction Menos identified — over whether apps like Citizen and Nextdoor, another app that offers forums for neighborhood crime discussions, are helpful to communities or harmful — continues today.

Over the summer, Citizen was widely criticized by law enforcement officials and former employees for its attempts to brand out in Los Angeles, including offering a $30,000 reward for the capture of a man incorrectly identified as responsible for starting a brushfire and testing a private security force. But these apps have supporters, including a former civil rights leader who compares their utility for public safety to street lights.

As the debate continues, The Inquirer turned to two Philadelphians to discuss: Do crime-tracking apps like Citizen help or harm communities?

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