When tech billionaires play cop, you know something wild is brewing in San Francisco. Chris Larsen, the crypto mogul behind Ripple Labs, is throwing a whopping $9.4 million at the SFPD for what can only be described as a surveillance shopping spree.

Normally, we’d be side-eyeing any tech bro dropping millions into law enforcement’s lap, but Larsen’s gift comes with some seriously eyebrow-raising details. We’re talking 12 drones that cost a cool $440,000 each - because apparently, normal drones just aren’t extra enough for San Francisco.

The Surveillance Splurge

Larsen isn’t new to playing neighborhood watchdog. Back in 2019, he planted 1,000 private surveillance cameras around the city, seemingly auditioning for a real-life episode of Black Mirror. This time, he’s leveling up with a shiny new “Real Time Investigation Center” that sounds more like a spy movie set than a police facility.

Follow the Money

But here’s the kicker: while Larsen is positioning himself as a crime-fighting philanthropist, his company Ripple Labs has its own legal skeletons. They’ve been accused of selling over $1 billion in unregistered securities and settled a case for $50 million. Talk about throwing stones from a glass blockchain.

The Tech Bro Savior Complex

Let’s be real - this looks less like community support and more like a classic tech bro power move. Larsen seems more interested in creating a surveillance state than actually addressing systemic issues. A $2 million video wall and fancy drones won’t solve San Francisco’s complex social challenges, but they sure make for great PR.

Welcome to San Francisco, where billionaires solve problems by throwing expensive gadgets at them. Stay weird, stay watchful.