By Marvin “Ben” Haiman
The I-95 Corridor, a critical artery connecting major metropolitan areas along the East Coast, has long presented a challenge for the trafficking of illegal firearms. The steady flow of illegal firearms, often funneled through what law enforcement officials call the “Iron Pipeline,” has fueled violent crime in cities from Miami to Washington and New York through Boston and into Canada.
In an effort to address these challenges, public safety leaders, policymakers and technology experts recently gathered in Tysons, Virginia, for the I-95 Working Group workshop. This was the 10th Working Group Convening led by the Rutgers University Miller Center on Policing and Community Resilience. This annual convening brings together state law enforcement, policy makers, city law enforcement and federal resources to discuss ideas and solutions to make communities up and down the I-95 Corridor safer.
During this convening, I had the opportunity to lead an interactive session with 170+ attendees. Rather than a traditional conference session, the workshop was designed to foster dialogue, collaboration and real-world problem-solving.
Bridging the intelligence gap
At the heart of the discussion was a fundamental challenge — law enforcement agencies operate in a rapidly changing world with advancing technology and must evolve quickly to stay ahead of criminal networks. Despite increased efforts to combat illegal firearm trafficking and violence, significant intelligence gaps and jurisdictional obstacles remain.
Participants noted that the challenges extend beyond enforcement to communication and coordination. Many agencies still seek improvements in real-time data sharing, which remains a limitation in tracking illegal firearm movement and identifying high-risk individuals before potential violent incidents occur. A live poll conducted during the session reflected these concerns — attendees cited cross-jurisdictional intelligence-sharing challenges, the need for stronger prosecutions and greater resources to combat gun violence.
The role of AI in public safety
While traditional enforcement methods remain essential, the discussion quickly turned to emerging technologies and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern law enforcement. AI has the potential to analyze crime patterns, identify high-risk individuals and enhance intelligence-sharing between agencies, but many public safety professionals are still considering how to implement these tools effectively.
A survey of attendees underscored the divide between AI’s potential and its current use in law enforcement:
- 78% of participants said they need more knowledge, tools and resources for AI in criminal investigations.
- 52% expressed concerns about the legal and policy implications of AI in public safety.
- 45% cited public trust and transparency as major hurdles to adoption.
- 94% of participants described technology being used in their operations, but less than 85% reported that their day-to-day operations were reliant on generative AI.
These figures highlight a clear opportunity for emerging AI trends to enhance public safety and reveal where law enforcement agencies stand in adopting generative AI technologies. Concerns about bias, misinformation and cybersecurity threats were discussed as key factors contributing to hesitancy in integrating AI-driven solutions, despite their potential to transform criminal investigations.
Lessons from real-world scenarios
To bring these issues into focus, the workshop included scenario-based exercises that examined how law enforcement agencies respond to violent incidents and crises in real time.
One scenario explored an active shooter incident near I-95, where early warning signs were missed due to intelligence-sharing failures. Another examined a misinformation-induced panic at a public event, highlighting the dangers of viral falsehoods spreading faster than verified law enforcement reports. A third scenario focused on human smuggling along the corridor, where a routine stop led to an escalation of violence and a major public safety response.
In each case, gaps in intelligence, coordination and technology played a decisive role in determining how quickly and effectively authorities could respond. The discussions reinforced the need for AI-powered predictive analytics, enhanced threat monitoring and better cross-agency collaboration.
The path forward: AI and policy innovation
As the workshop concluded, participants engaged in a STOP-START-CONTINUE exercise, identifying practices that need to change in order to improve public safety along the I-95 corridor:
- STOP relying on outdated intelligence-sharing systems that slow response times.
- START integrating AI-driven analytics to predict crime trends and enhance investigations.
- CONTINUE expanding cross-agency partnerships to improve enforcement and coordination.
The conversation underscored a critical truth: gun violence is not just a criminal issue — it is a technological and policy challenge. AI has the potential to be a powerful tool in preventing and responding to violent crime, but successful implementation will require training, transparency, and trust.
About the author
Marvin “Ben” Haiman serves as a Visiting Scholar with Rutger’s University Miller Center for Policing and Community Resilience and is the Executive Director for the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Virginia.
| NEXT: These questions are designed to navigate the complexities of AI adoption in law enforcement, balancing the potential benefits with the risks it presents.