A group of activists demonstrated outside the San Francisco residence of Chris Larsen, co-founder of blockchain company Ripple, to protest his substantial financial support for law enforcement surveillance technology in the city.
Sunrise Movement organizes local demonstration
The protest, which took place on Friday, was led by members of the Sunrise Movement, a youth-driven climate advocacy group. Activists criticized Chris Larsen’s involvement in supporting the expansion of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and other surveillance tools by San Francisco police.
Demonstrators distributed brightly colored flyers to residents in the neighborhood, warning them about the use of Flock Safety cameras—networked devices that capture license plates and track vehicle movements. Protesters also displayed a mock surveillance camera near Larsen’s home, sending a message that read, “Does this make you feel safer, Chris?”
Luc Bouchard, an organizer from Sunrise Movement Bay Area, explained that activists question the effectiveness of automated license plate readers. He stated that studies do not clearly demonstrate their role in reducing crime and suggested public funds would be better spent on affordable housing and social programs instead of surveillance infrastructure.
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AAPLBouchard added that the group targeted Larsen’s home specifically to highlight his role in funding the technology, emphasizing the direct connection between private donors and changes in public safety policy.
Chris Larsen’s role in police surveillance funding
Chris Larsen, who co-founded Ripple—a financial technology company known for the XRP cryptocurrency—has provided millions of dollars to support both public and private security camera networks in San Francisco over the past several years. His donations have funded extensive surveillance projects in multiple city neighborhoods, responding to concerns about property crimes and public safety.
In 2021, Larsen approved a $700,000 contribution to install camera networks in the Castro district. His earlier funding also enabled camera deployments in areas like Japantown and Hayes Valley.
By 2023, reports placed Larsen’s total contributions to community surveillance initiatives at around $4 million. The investments sought to bolster neighborhood safety with technologies such as Flock Safety cameras that quickly alert authorities to suspect vehicles.
In 2025, Larsen pledged $9.4 million to enable the relocation and modernization of the San Francisco Police Department’s Real-Time Investigation Center. In addition to the monetary support, Ripple provided a new space for the center through a lease agreement.
The revamped Real-Time Investigation Center now coordinates data from a network of more than 400 Flock automated license plate reader cameras across the city.
In July, the San Francisco Police Commission approved an additional $3 million contribution from Larsen to further expand technology resources for local law enforcement.
Mini dictionary: Sunrise Movement, a national youth-led organization focused on advocating for climate action and social justice, often mobilizes around local and national policies intersecting justice, surveillance, and public safety.
Community debate over technology and safety
Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based technology company, supplies automated license plate readers that gather vehicle data for public safety agencies. Proponents argue the system helps recover stolen vehicles and identify suspects in criminal investigations. However, critics say these expansive networks may infringe on privacy and have limited evidence showing a reduction in crime rates.
| Year | Larsen’s Contributions | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $700,000 | Castro district camera network |
| 2023 | $4 million (total by this year) | Community surveillance initiatives |
| 2025 | $9.4 million | Relocation, upgrade of Police Real-Time Investigation Center |
| 2025 (July) | $3 million | Additional technology resources |
Activists continue to challenge public and private reliance on automated surveillance, urging city leadership to reevaluate the balance between safety and civil liberties.
Sunrise Movement Bay Area organizer Luc Bouchard argued that investing more in housing, rather than surveillance, would deliver better results for San Francisco’s public safety concerns.
