Cell phones are arguably modern society’s most important communication tool as they have radically changed the way we talk, organise and enjoy ourselves. But how are they being used to reduce drug crime?…
In 2020, Statista data estimated that 280.54 million American’s own a cell phone with 53% of them saying they could not go longer than 24 hours without a cell phone.
For a long-time, popular discourse has blamed cell phones for creating and amplifying existing societal issues. This includes an increase in drug crime amongst young people, as cell phones make drugs more accessible than ever.
There is no doubt that a strong correlation exists between the advent of cell phones and the sale of illegal drugs. In America, you can receive a seven year prison sentence for conspiracy to supply class a drugs or receive an unlimited fine.
This is considered low in comparison to the UK, where you can get up to life in prison for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, however cell phones still play a huge roll in the transactions in the UK too. That said, It doesn’t seem fair to give cell phones such a bad rep, so let’s delve into detail about how they actually help reduce drug crime too…
1. A Change in Business Model
From the early 1990’s to the 2000’s drug-dealing profits decreased in America. Lena Edlund, an economist at Columbia argued in recently published paper, ‘It’s the Phone, Stupid: Mobiles and Murder’ that there was a strong correlation between this decline and the emergence and convenience of cheap cell phones.
In the 1980’s and 1990’s gang-culture attacked and defended their ‘turf’ and would control their ‘territory’ to keep their drug sales high. However, with the introduction cell phones the importance of this ‘turf-based’ approach to drug-dealing started to dwindle as people no longer had to ‘buy on the corner’.
This in turn, reduced violence, homicide rates and lowered drug sales.
2. Instant Crime Reporting
The advent of cell phones and modern technology has made reporting illegal behaviour including drug crime, far easier.
Before cell phones, witnesses of a crime had to go and find an officer or go to the nearest police station. Undoubtedly, this would have discouraged people from reporting a crime as people may have been scared.
However, with cell phones people may feel more comfortable reporting a crime as you can maintain more discretion from not having to report the crime in person and therefore resume anonymity.
In addition, it may have been difficult to take the time out of someone’s day to go and report a crime. Whereas, now with Cell Phones you can do it in a matter of minutes due to how ‘instant’ messaging is.
The benefit of instant crime reporting can give the police more accurate information and the ability to respond to reports of criminal activity faster. Many police departments throughout America have a text-a-tip programs that allow people to send anonymous text messages from their cell phones to report a crime.
3. Capturing Crime in the Moment
Due to the evolving nature of cell phones, it is common to have one which features a good quality camera. That coupled with the emergence and popularity of social media over recent years means evidence can be passed on almost instantly.
Cell phones give bystanders the ability to capture footage of criminals and crime scenes. As well as, giving officers and the public the ability to identify criminals faster and more easily.
According to a recent article in The Guardian, Cell phones are being increasingly used in criminal cases to identify suspects. With 90% of today’s criminal cases containing digital evidence.
There have been plenty of high-profile incidents throughout recent history that involved cell phones as proof in criminal cases, for instance, The Boston Marathon bombings, 2013 where cell phone videos were used as digital evidence.
4. Encrypted Messaging Apps
On the surface, the existence of encrypted messaging apps is worrisome when you think about them in relation to drug-dealing and how these apps could potentially facilitate sales.
Despite the assumption that the two may go hand in hand with each other recent examples illustrate how they have not been successful in the long-term. In fact, law enforcement agencies have intercepted these apps covertly and used them as a Trojan Horse to crack down on drug-dealing.
One example was the encrypted messaging app, ANOM. From 2018-2021 the messaging app was used as a Sting operation where security forces from around the world cooperated and hacked into the cell phone-based messaging app.
ANOM was extensively used by criminals and was instrumental in facilitating the global narcotics trade. However, after the FBI and the Australian Federal Police intercepted thousands of messages, law enforcement agencies used the app to track all communications and over 800 arrests were made.
5. Acting Deterrence
Latest cell phone developments such as the instant crime reporting, and phone cameras have become a dynamic crime-fighting force. Previously mentioned examples illustrate how law enforcement agencies have been able to stay one step ahead of criminals.
With modern technology constantly evolving. there is no doubt that people are deterred from committing crimes with the risk of being recorded or caught on the spot.
When it comes to capturing crime, don’t be a hero all the time…
Even though we all hold the power to record crimes and report instantly with our phones, always prioritise your safety and move out of harms way if you spot a crime unravelling. (Even if it does make for great content!)