Ripple's Chris Larsen Donates $350,000 to Controversial Projects

Chris Larsen, the Executive Director of Ripple, has emerged as a prominent contributor, donating a substantial sum of $350,000 to advance various initiatives proposed by San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Among these initiatives, one has stirred considerable debate, as it may empower law enforcement agencies with enhanced surveillance capabilities, including the use of drones and facial recognition technology for tracking suspects.

These proposals are subject to direct voting, allowing the community to approve or reject legislative initiatives introduced by competing candidates. Chris Larsen has allocated $250,000 to a pre-election committee advocating for a more lenient approach to police requests for surveillance technology approval. This move could potentially grant the police unrestricted use of drones and facial recognition technology for a year before undergoing rigorous scrutiny by oversight bodies.

In addition to this, Larsen has also donated $100,000 to support an initiative aimed at requiring individuals suspected of substance abuse, who are seeking social assistance, to undergo mandatory testing and, if necessary, rehabilitation programs to continue receiving financial aid.

When addressing the opioid crisis and the increasing number of fatalities, Larsen emphasized the need for compassion and innovation. He stated, "We cannot continue with business as usual when people are dying on the streets from fentanyl and even more potent drugs."

Official figures have labeled these measures as punitive and potentially harmful to individuals struggling with substance abuse. Despite being rejected by oversight bodies, these initiatives have gained popularity among the target electorate.

Chris Larsen clarified that his donations were made at the request of San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Regarding the proposal to expand the police force through additional taxes, Larsen dismissed it as "nonsense."