Predictive Policing Software Is Pretty Terrible at Predicting Crimes

Re:Predictive Policing Software Is Pretty Terrible at Predic... by dragonwriter on Tuesday October 03, 2023 @01:15PM (#37754764)

> If it accurately identifies areas of high crime

You don’t need predictive policing to identify areas of high crime (in fact, identification of areas of high crime is an input to predictive policing.)

> then that’s a sign of poverty,

Poverty information is also an input to predictive policing, not something it provides you information about that you didn't already have, even in the fantasy world where it works well.

> the root cause of crime

Poverty is not the root cause of crime. It may be a root cause of some crime.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Predictive Policing Software Is Pretty Terrible at Predic... by nonrandomstring on Tuesday October 03, 2023 @01:22PM (#37754856)

You noticed that the analysis was simplistic despite my attempts to hide that. :) I'd be curious to know what the root cause of crime is. Laws? /s

edit: Sarcasm aside... My serious point is; just what exactly is this software trying to achieve? Isn't this whole caper a solution looking for a problem dreamed up by people who have tech and nothing to do with it, and no grounding in basic human values?

[ Parent | on HN ]