Police, community open dialogue about lethal robots at town hall meeting in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Because the phrases ‘killer robotic’ proceed to dominate the headlines, Evante Daniels got here to a particular city corridor at Manny’s in San Francisco’s Mission, to voice his issues. He moved to San Francisco from Atlanta two years in the past.

“That is my residence now, and I consider in having an invested stake in my neighborhood,” mentioned Daniels. “I need to see my metropolis thrive and flourish”

One of many subjects Evante was particularly involved about was San Francisco Supervisors’ upcoming second vote on Tuesday, permitting the San Francisco police division’s use of lethal drive with remote-controlled robots.

“This relieves a number of stress for me anytime there’s a number of vagueness particularly in a Black Lives Matter form of area, it results in a number of insecurity and questions for me as an individual of shade,” mentioned Daniels.

Debra Walker with the San Francisco Police Fee was there on her personal to listen to everybody’s feedback.

She additionally cleared up some misconceptions, saying the police drive has had these robots for a decade and has by no means used them.

“One of many large jokes tonight was killer robots and basically Skynet coming to San Francisco which is all the time a joke and to listen to the robots been round for 10 years and so they’re not utilizing AI and so they’re not gonna do any of that stuff,” mentioned Daniels. “I used to be capable of textual content 5 of my mates instantly and be like hey this is one thing that was not within the articles cuz it most likely wasn’t within the press launch.”

Civil rights, racial justice and labor teams took to San Francisco Metropolis Corridor Monday morning to demand elected officers reject authorizing SFPD robots to make use of lethal drive.

In a written assertion, The Government Director of Californians for Security and Justice Tinisch Hollins had this to say: 

“San Francisco leaders should cease politicizing the difficulty of public security and deal with the rapid wants of the folks.”

In the meantime, again at Manny’s, the neighborhood dialog introduced extra consciousness and understanding from each side.

“Studying extra about these killer robots,” mentioned Valuable Inexperienced, Manny’s Director of Programming. “It is so unusual to say that however studying extra about these robots and the truth that it is not some kind of new program. It has been right here all alongside and now we’re lastly arising with the rules. Does not make me really feel prefer it’s completely OK however not less than I really feel like I am a extra knowledgeable member of the neighborhood.”

Lawmakers will maintain their ultimate vote on the coverage, Tuesday. If permitted, it goes to Mayor Breed for her ultimate approval.