Chapter 77 - 72 If You Advocate Removing the Roof

Everyone used to laugh at how chaotic New York was.

Upon careful thought, even the chaos of New York seemed tame compared to nicer places.

Out of over two hundred countries and regions in the world, many have crime rates and conditions worse than New York’s, with even more places engulfed in war, not to mention New York still reigns as the global epicenter of economy, technology, and finance.

Latovia, on the other hand, was the other extreme—poor, chaotic, and war-torn.

Due to its poverty, backwardness, and savagery, there was scant information about it online.

The world was not a peaceful place, it was just that Lille was lucky to be born in a decent part of it.

That evening, after embedding the chip’s driver into the CD, and handing it over to Mr. Wang, he set off to accept George’s invitation.

On the car ride to George’s house, Lille was somewhat silent—he always felt he might one day return to that "home."

George’s neighborhood was unlike the poor areas that Lille’s family inhabited.

It was magnificent here, the streets lined with luxury cars, with people regularly cleaning the streets beneath the apartment buildings, ensuring the residents lived comfortably in body and spirit.

Walking here, one would hardly feel the terror of the financial crisis—people just seemed busier.

George was waiting downstairs for Lille and burst into a smile, waving from afar,

"Welcome, Lille, how are you feeling?"

"Thank you for your concern, same as always—surely enough to help you clear out New York City’s vile criminals."

"Ambitious, I like that."

It appeared the sheriff had just gotten off work too, as he was still in his uniform.

The two then walked into the Stacy family’s detached house. George took off his coat, shouting as soon as they entered, "Gwen? Helen?"

A well-kept middle-aged woman emerged from the kitchen, and they hugged each other.

"Where is Gwen?" asked George.

Lady Helen also called out her daughter’s name but got no response, "She mentioned there was a club activity, she might not be back yet."

"It’s quite late—that’s my daughter, she has a lot of energy." George explained briefly before starting to introduce the two,

"Never mind that, this is our guest today, Lille Lee, the young hero who tackled the major problem in Hell’s Kitchen.

Lille, this is my wife, Helen."

"Pleased to meet you, ma’am, you look very young."

"Sweet talker, alright, have a seat, dinner is ready."

Lille sat down, thinking he probably wouldn’t see Gwen Stacy today—but it didn’t matter much.

He wasn’t here to chase stars, the main thing was business.

Dinner conversation was lively with Mrs. Stacy leading, "Lille, George tells me you started your own company?"

"Yes, it’s the consulting firm that has recently provided equipment and technical support to the NYPD."

Helen leaned back slightly, "Then you are really impressive, how old are you? You seem very... young."

"Just came of age not long ago."

Helen leaned further back, "Wow... you are more impressive than I thought, you sound like one of those geniuses—like Tony Stark. Where are you studying now?"

"Um..." Lille scratched his head awkwardly, this casual small talk wasn’t really his forte, and mainly...

He wasn’t studying anymore.

"It’s like this, I actually... was in a coma for two years and have only recently recovered from a serious illness."

Lille shrugged.

Helen was baffled.

She tentatively asked, "I heard... your family are immigrants?"

Lille responded candidly, "Yes, but according to U.S. law, I should be considered a local—though perhaps not that local."

Genius to a certain degree—even if it’s as brilliant as Tony Stark, that’s acceptable.

But this was a bit exaggerated—being in a coma for two years meant his mental age was actually like that of around a 16-year-old.

years old, making sense of technology—genius, sure.

But 18 years appearing somewhat mature is normal; 16 years old... these two years’ difference could feel like 20 years.

From the way Lille spoke and his demeanor... it didn’t seem like 16, at least 26—no, the tone Lille used, if you saw it in a 36-year-old, Helen would also find it normal.

years appearing somewhat mature is normal, but 16 years old... these two years’ difference could feel like 20 years.

More exaggerated was, Lille’s parents were first-generation immigrants, where did they get the money to afford him a good education?

Seeing the conversation which had been going smoothly come to an unexpected halt, George also realized the issue.

He chewed his food for a moment and then said, "Helen, could you give Gwen a call for me?"

"Alright..." Helen was still thinking about Lille as she left.

It was only after Helen had left that George felt somewhat normal again— for some reason, he felt more comfortable discussing business with Lille.

Upon reflection, Helen’s shock was also his shock, but he was more focused when discussing only business matters.

"Your recognition surveillance network has been quite useful. The mayor was very pleased, and the Government believes we need to deepen our cooperation in this area—

I convinced them, but can your side accept it? I mean, your company... might be a bit small."

Lille smiled and said, "Sheriff, do you know how many people have been unemployed due to this... financial crisis?

As long as there’s work, it’s easy to find a large group of people who can install cameras—all I need to do is find an assembly plant.

Ironically, there are plenty of idle factories around."

"Speaking of unemployment, that’s the mayor’s biggest headache, but it turns out to be a good thing for you. You tech people really have a way."

Lille smiled again.

Rationally, he believed that widespread unemployment was the most incomprehensible thing—although the reality was that it happened every now and then.

An inevitable issue could only be understood by trying, so organizing production was also something he was good at.

Lille then said, "Sheriff, speaking of technology, I plan to upgrade our software system, but some of these functions may be a bit sensitive."

George raised his eyebrows, "Let’s hear it."

Lille straightened up, ready to use a set of prepared words to gain George’s support.

As the saying goes, people always compromise—if he just said the room was too dark and needed a window, everyone would definitely not allow it.

But if you advocate tearing off the roof, they would be more willing to accept the idea of opening a window."

"This is a smart city system—using this system, we can reduce traffic jams, improve traffic efficiency, and I believe the mayor will like this feature.

With traffic data, we can infer potential criminal activities and locations based on the relationship between traffic data and crime occurrence."

George frowned but still did not stop him.

Lille continued, "Traffic data is just the foundation. We are about to incorporate new image processing chips that can better handle the facial details captured by cameras.

It can link each person’s movement routes to criminal events, allowing us to make inferences.

Furthermore, if you are willing to open up the public safety information database, we can also prevent crime based on professional information and family situations..."

"Lille." George suddenly interrupted, "This is sensitive."

"I know it’s sensitive—but think about it, if a person has a job as an office clerk working from 9 am to 5 pm.

If he is found in some dark alley during these hours, it’s problematic—if a crime also happens to occur nearby...

Think about this possibility, with enough data, we can trace more clues—"

"It sounds like it’s replacing the function of the police."

"Of course not—cameras can’t arrest people, and this is only about inferring possibilities, not convicting."

George stroked his chin, thinking for a while, then shifted in his seat and sighed.

"Lille, you know, this sounds like the New York State special edition of the Patriot Act. I believe the mayor will love this proposal.

But the problem is... the people of New York will not support such a measure, and moreover, it’s dangerous."

The Patriot Act, a controversial act signed after the Twin Towers incident.

The core content of the act can be seen from the viewpoints of both sides:

Supporters believe that if you are patriotic and not a criminal or terrorist, then why should you be afraid of the Federation looking into your personal privacy?

Opponents believe otherwise; patriotism and personal privacy can coexist.

"I know—that’s why, Sheriff, I’m talking to you because I believe you are an honest man, but if you think this plan has too many problems.

Let’s just stay with traffic control—reducing traffic jams and accidents is something everyone wants to see.

Besides these, it can also help you automatically investigate driving licenses, track vehicles involved in accidents, drunk driving..."

"I haven’t agreed yet, Lille."

George pinched the bridge of his nose—but what Lille said did really strike a chord with him.

In the United States, there is no separate traffic police; traffic control is just one of NYPD’s many duties, which is endlessly bothersome.

If the system was really as powerful as claimed, it could indeed reduce a lot of work.

Who wouldn’t hate those who change lanes arbitrarily, speed, hit and run, drive dangerously, drive drunk, or even drive under the influence of drugs?

Relatively speaking, this is a more moderate, seemingly better proposal.

"But this is indeed not bad."