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One of the outcomes of the London riots that occurred during early September of this year was a focus on the role of Facebook and other social media sites in facilitating dangerous organization of mobs. More specifically, a trial was held to determine whether several individuals who had clearly stated on Facebook that they wanted to organize a damage-causing riot could be prosecuted on criminal charges.

As with almost any story, however, there are two sides. It seems that other sorts of activities were occurring on Facebook during the riots as well, organizing protection and warnings for those in areas affected by mob damage.

The immediate, interconnected nature of the social media makes them ideal tools for avoiding rioting as well as causing it. With the addition of GPS technology in different ways, the response and prevention techniques could be locally targeted for even higher effectiveness.

One large problem that police face in riot control is the anonymity of most of the offenders. It is relatively easy to slip into a crowd, cause some damage, and escape without coming in contact with police. One piece of experimental equipment is a device that captures the license plate numbers of every car within a certain area.

If police could install these devices on a number of drivers’ vehicles (in return for a benefit like lower car taxes), it would be easy for them to instantly find out who is involved in a riot in progress. Higher accountability based on the existence of this technology would hopefully deter riot inciters and make it easier to track them down.

More serious public safety concerns such as bioterrorism and air traffic control interference are also the targets of advancing smartphone technology. Sensors on many smartphones are capable of detecting a number of hazardous chemicals, providing the possibility of an early warning system for chemical attacks. Another product focuses on the yet-future possibility of terrorists using a “GPS jamming device” to disrupt air traffic signals and cause mass confusion between pilots and control towers. The product in development would use smartphone signals in the area to quickly triangulate the location of the GPS jammer and give law enforcement the opportunity to apprehend it as soon as possible.

With the vast potential for GPS and mass communication offered by smartphone technology, it seems clear that creativity will give law enforcement a number of tools to make protecting the public an easier and more efficient job.

Article Written by Mark Rummel