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T
he Code Warriors, working closely with officials of at least
two of the Thirds, are constructing an advanced computer network and
database which will track the actions -- and the whereabouts --
of reported criminals.
Dubbed "CrimeNet", the high tech system allows victims
and witnesses to instantaneously report criminal acts, including
bioscans of the reported criminal(s). Merchants, law enforcement,
and government agencies have access to reports, and will be able
to rapidly cross-check any individual against the database.
"CrimeNet is a major step toward fulfillment of my oft-repeated
campaign pledge to totally eliminate crime, by totally eliminating
criminals," said a statement issued by the office of Hizzonor the
Mayor of the NorthEast Third.
Although the system is technologically advanced, it will be
extremely easy to use, according to a Code Warrior spokesperson.
"A witness or victim reporting a crime will use a simple device to
bioscan the perpetrator," she said. "The resulting record is
stored for networked access by anyone with appropriate permissions."
I examined a prototype of the reporting device. About the size of a
police officer's sidearm, it reminded me of a drugstore barcode reader --
or a phaser on Star Trek. As the technology matures, future versions
may be as small as a ring or bracelet. A complete bioscan requires less
than one second, and trials have confirmed that the system is
extremely accurate.
"We estimate probability of error at one report in ten billion,"
said the Code Warrior spokesperson.
Privacy advocates find this accuracy to be a mixed blessing.
"So a Boy Scout observes you jaywalking in NorthEast. Or his
grandmother believes your stereo is too loud. Zap! You're snitched.
Permanently," said Jorj, a student activist at TC University and
member of the campus' New Indicator Newspaper Collective. "Now any cop or copbot
or vigilante or yahoo anywhere in the City is free to impose whatever degree
of violence -- er, justice -- local custom permits. Scary
thought."
Hizzonor believes the likelihood of abuse is very small.
"The ordinary, law-abiding citizen will be protected by the
Free Market," continues his statement. "The
cost of system components --
reporting devices and access terminals -- will prohibit all but the
most mature and responsible elements of our society from ownership.
Only those proven trustworthy by success will be able to use it."
A member of the Council of the Southern Third agreed that the system will
be safe.
"This is the best, most advanced technology available. You can
believe in it," she said.
However, an administrator of the NorthWest Third Assembly expressed
numerous misgivings.
"Reliance on free market regulation is anarchic at
best, discriminatory at worst. If the history of the NorthEast Third
is any yardstick, the system will largely serve to protect the
propertied, while denying the accused due process or the
right to confront their accusers."
Does this mean the NorthWest Assembly plans to reject use of CrimeNet
within their jurisdiction?
"Not necessarily. We're intrigued by the ability to apprehend
violent criminals who enter the Third. We think it might be possible
to mitigate the system's undemocratic and discriminatory implications
by, for instance, distributing reporting devices at public expense; or
making them available in public areas. Or, we might instruct the
Peacekeepers to accost only those suspects reported by NorthWest
citizens. The Assembly will need to
thoroughly debate the pros and cons of these and other approaches."
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What happens if an innocent person is mistakenly scanned into the
system?
"Oh, well, heh heh," said Hizzonor, with his trademark
grandfatherly wink. "I think we all know who the criminals are."
"It's not a problem," said one of the developers. "Anyone
falsely accused can have themselves removed via the usual channels."
These include a trip to your local judge; a discussion with your
preferred Third administration; the legal services of hired experts;
and other well-known mechanisms.
Who will have access to the reports stored within the system?
"Law enforcement officials and other public servants,
naturally," said the Code Warrior spokesperson. "Also licensed
merchants willing to pay for terminals."
"In other words: anyone who can afford it," scoffed Jorj.
"While ordinary citizens and smaller merchants are locked out
by price."
The NorthWest Assembly administrator I spoke with agreed.
"Access to existing records threatens to be as undemocratic as
creation of new ones. Again, we may be able to mitigate these
problems by, for instance, posting public terminals in libraries,
cafes, and other public areas. Our ability to do this may turn out
to depend on budget. Naturally the Third has not yet allocated
funds for this purpose. It'll have to be debated by the full public
assembly."
What action will be taken by law enforcement when reported criminals
are encountered?
"This is a major area of undemocratic bias in the system as we
understand it today," continued the NorthWest Assembly administrator.
"The current state of the universe does not allow arrest of suspects for
trial via due process. Law enforcement currently has one option only:
summary violence. It's not at all clear that this punishment is
appropriate to all varieties of crime which may be reported. Indeed
there's no agreement between the Thirds as to what exactly constitutes
'crime'. Our fear is that Stormtroopers, for instance, will summarily
execute those reported for pickpocketing or other nonviolent
misdemeanors."
Hizzonor views this prospect as the system's major advantage.
"Oh, well, heh heh," he said, with his trademark
grandfatherly wink. "To make an omelet you have to break eggs."
Given the apparent lack of consensus between the Thirds over features and
deployment, I asked the Code Warriors spokesperson whether they felt
any hesitation in undertaking development.
"We're not a policy-making body," she said. "We simply
build what we're hired to build. It's up to the political authorities
to determine its appropriate use."
How much will the devices cost?
"I don't know for certain," said the Code Warriors spokesperson.
"First generation reporting devices are likely to retail for around
10,000 Dinars, while access terminals might run 50,000. There may or
may not be a service subscription fee. Future generation enhancements
may lower the costs, as may larger-scale production. Many of these
scenarios depend on the powers that be, which are beyond our control."
When will the system be deployed?
"We're ready for real-world testing to begin whenever hardened
hardware is available. The Southern Third has the most advanced and
extensive communications infrastructure, so with the Central Computer's
permission we've volunteered to host the
alpha," said a member of the Council of the Southern Third.
Poobah declined to be interviewed, noting "I'm just an
architect, I don't work with computer stuff."
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