VijoGeo

Issues surrounding excessive use of force in law enforcement are too common, especially where marginalized and communities of color are concerned. According to Edwards, et al, police violence is a leading cause of death for young men in the United States. Additionally, American Indian/ Alaska Native and Black women and men are significantly more likely to be killed in these instances than members of other groups. Texas A&M economist Mark Hoekstra found that in a review of 911 calls, white officers dispatched to Black neighborhoods disproportionately discharged guns five compared with Black officers responding to calls in the same neighborhoods. Lack of transparency is a significant problem with concern over racial bias in policing. Importantly, opaque data collection practices serve to inhibit the ability of both the public and legislators to adequately understand and address problematic policing practices and their consequences. The experience of police brutality and distrust among communities of color contributes to a reticence to call upon law enforcement, creating a policing system that fails everyone.

VijoGeo is a tech-based system for securing firearms. When a weapon is withdrawn from a holster or case, the system alerts through SMS text message or mobile application, and the incident is logged into a user dashboard. While originally intended for use in homes to prevent accidental gun injury or death, this system has applicability to support law enforcement, promote transparency, and increase accountability.

The use of body cameras demonstrates the impact of technology in policing. Ariel, et al found that the likelihood of force being used by officers with cameras was roughly half that of officers without cameras, and that camera-wearing officers received about one-tenth the number of complaints as did officers without cameras. 

Similarly, we believe that VijoGeo's alert and reporting system related to the withdrawal of service weapons would have a similar and complementary measurable impact, working to repair trust between law enforcement and the community.

VijoGeo recently completed the Conscious Venture Lab accelerator, creating a bench-top prototype, and testing its efficacy. With continued refinement, we are now moving forward with a rapid prototype manufacturer. This step will allow us to fundraise, likely using a kickstarter method to sell units. 

VijoGeo continues to work with mentors from the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership, receiving support from the local start up ecosystem, and in communication with business leaders and firearms enthusiasts. While use in homes to prevent injury and loss of property is our beachhead market, extending this idea to use in law enforcement has always been a goal.

VijoGeo went live with our internet landing page in November 2021 and will continue seeking feedback from community members. We expect to establish a Baltimore, Maryland-based LLC by December 2021.