Chris Larsen, co-founder of cryptocurrency firm Ripple Labs, is in the spotlight once again as he offers a substantial gift of $9.4 million to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). This donation primarily aims to fund drones and various surveillance gadgets, alongside the establishment of a new surveillance coordination center.
Larsen became a prominent figure in San Francisco’s public discourse back in 2019 when he initiated the placement of 1,000 private surveillance cameras around the city to assist law enforcement. Over the years, he has also emerged as a significant donor in local political campaigns, contributing to measures like the 2024 Prop D ballot initiative, which expanded the SFPD’s authorization to utilize drones and advanced surveillance technologies.
In addition, Ripple Labs has been financially supportive of political figures, including a $5 million contribution to President Trump, aimed at preserving a favorable regulatory environment for the cryptocurrency sector. As a result, Larsen’s financial resources continue to thrive in a landscape often criticized for lacking rigorous regulatory oversight.
The recent news of Larsen’s proposed donation was unveiled in a proposal from Mayor Lurie, noting that while the cash value of the gifts stands at $7.2 million, an additional $2.2 million corresponds to a donation of unused Ripple Labs office space to the SFPD. This space will be transformed into a “Real Time Investigation Center” (RTIC) for the police force, possibly as a move to leverage tax write-off benefits for Ripple Labs.
The existing RTIC at 850 Bryant Street is described as outdated and in poor condition, prompting the need for a more efficient facility. Reports indicate that the current space is so dilapidated that police officials have advised reporters against charging their devices in the electrical outlets due to the risk of overloading the system.
In contrast, the new RTIC will be located at 315 Montgomery, in office space that Ripple Labs has leased but is currently unused. Dedicating this space reflects Larsen’s intention to bolster law enforcement capabilities through enhanced surveillance tech.
The primary financial aspect of Larsen’s donation, totaling $7.2 million, will be processed as a gift from his charitable organization, the San Francisco Police Community Foundation, which he established last year following the financial troubles of another SFPD-related nonprofit known as SF Safe. This past incident involved alleged improprieties that potentially resulted in Larsen losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
However, there are concerns about the lack of competitive bidding associated with this donation, which raises questions about possible conflicts of interest and favors towards vendor relationships, especially considering that some of these vendors may have financial ties to Larsen himself. This absence of competitive bids has frequently been a red flag for corruption and misconduct within San Francisco’s political landscape.
Breaking down the financial contributions, the proposal allocates approximately $5.3 million for the purchase of 12 drones and their respective docking stations, along with related software and services. Additionally, $1.7 million is earmarked for a large video wall, while other funds are directed toward vaguely classified computer equipment enhancements.
Larsen commented on the anticipated impact of this donation, branding it a “force-multiplier” for the SFPD, stating that their current toolkit is limited and that expanding these resources would significantly enhance their operational efficacy.
On Wednesday, the SF Police Commission will deliberate on accepting Larsen’s gifts, with approval from the Board of Supervisors also expected.
While Larsen seeks to fortify his reputation as a beneficial contributor to public safety, it’s worth noting Ripple Labs’ previous legal entanglements, including allegations of selling over $1 billion in unregistered securities, for which they settled a case for $50 million. Simultaneously, the cryptocurrency sector has been marred by numerous fraud scandals, further complicating perceptions of integrity among its executives.
As Larsen and other cryptocurrency leaders advocate for stringent measures against street crime, there may be a concurrent push to divert scrutiny from white-collar offenses within their industry, raising questions about the motivations behind such substantial philanthropic gestures.
image source from：https://sfist.com/2025/06/03/crypto-mogul-chris-larsen-kicking-down-nearly-10-million-to-sfpd-for-more-surveillance-efforts/
