“How We Can Eliminate Crime” | Ben Horowitz and Garrett Langley

A technology-and-policy blueprint to deter crime without mass incarceration

1. A.They argue that the most humane crime strategy is high certainty of getting caught (deterrence) rather than simply increasing incarceration, because prison is costly and often destroys future opportunity.
2. B.They propose a “Teach for America” model for law enforcement—using student-debt relief and other incentives to address a staffing crisis largely driven by cultural stigma and reputational decline in policing.
3. C.They describe a modern “technology stack” for public safety—cameras, gunshot detection, drones, license plate readers, and an AI orchestration layer—to convert abundant raw data into actionable intelligence and safer, more accountable police responses.
4. D.They explain why clearance rates (even for murder) have fallen nationally: less witness cooperation, more randomized/organized crime, evidence volume outpacing tools and skills, and the loss of experienced detectives due to early retirement and understaffing.
5. E.They emphasize governance and legitimacy: transparency features, configurable data retention/sharing policies, and community policing are positioned as necessary to build trust and avoid the inequities of privatized security.