‘Whatever You Wish, Ben’: Ben Horowitz's Close Relationship with the Las Vegas Police.

In 2023, Skydio, a drone manufacturer based in San Mateo, California, submitted a proposal to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). Mike Gennaro, the police chief of staff, forwarded the email to venture capitalist Ben Horowitz, who responded by asking, "What deployment are you looking for?" Gennaro, for his part, offered flexibility regarding the decision. As a result, Horowitz sent funds to the Las Vegas police foundation to purchase Skydio drones, constituting a mutually beneficial agreement: Skydio gained visibility by partnering with the LVMPD, while the latter acquired new tools to combat crime.

In a blog post about this collaboration, Skydio praised the LVMPD's decision to adopt its X10 drones, referencing its goal of making Las Vegas the safest community in America. However, Horowitz was not mentioned, despite his relationship with the LVMPD extending beyond the drone donation. Horowitz has facilitated communication between the LVMPD and at least six companies in his portfolio.

Revelations about this relationship emerged after reviewing over 100 emails between Horowitz and the LVMPD, as well as internal police emails regarding their donations, during a public records request. Horowitz has donated at least $7.6 million in recent years to fund department acquisitions, and he and his wife, Felicia, have also contributed to improving the LVMPD gym.

Horowitz's approach is not unique. The practice of soliciting donations for police foundations to cover equipment costs is becoming increasingly common, though it is also controversial. Experts and police accountability advocates have pointed out that these foundations bypass purchasing processes that typically involve public meetings and city-approved budgets, raising concerns about transparency and ethics in the use of funds.

The LVMPD had previously used drones from three other companies before Horowitz made his donation, according to a prior public record. Horowitz justified his approach by arguing that the public sector struggles to budget for new technologies, allowing him to provide a "jump start" for the LVMPD. His initiative was praised by David Ulevitch, a general partner at a16z, who also supports Skydio.

Horowitz's wife, Felicia, expressed her disapproval of the deteriorating conditions in California, which led them to move to Las Vegas. According to emails, within a year, Horowitz had begun suggesting products to the police department and made multiple donations for equipment and technology.

In terms of acquisitions, emails indicate that the LVMPD did not accept donations without scrutiny, as its leadership raised concerns about the technology proposed by one of Horowitz’s companies, Toka. The relationship between Horowitz and the LVMPD also involved overseeing contracts to ensure that donations aligned with the department's operational needs.

However, relationships and sponsorships often lead to ties between companies and police departments, which can create an uneven playing field, as initial donations can facilitate lucrative contracts later on. Horowitz has managed to maintain a low profile, although his influence in the LVMPD and the expansion of the use of technologies backed by a16z is evident.

Finally, during a recent event, the Las Vegas sheriff made positive comments about the use of technologies backed by a16z, emphasizing their alleged effectiveness in fighting crime. Nevertheless, the lack of transparency regarding how these technologies are acquired, their costs, and the donors behind them was not addressed, raising criticisms about the implications of this type of funding in the realm of justice and public accountability.