So the three computer science students — Ndhlovu at St. Augustine’s University in nearby Raleigh and Bhebhe and Mukuchura at Alabama State University, all historically Black institutions — joined forces to figure that out. As part of the inaugural HBCU Smart Cities Challenge, they developed a proof of concept for a platform that could give first responders, including police officers, timely and relevant information to help them make smarter decisions faster. And that, Mukuchura says, could also fortify trust in communities where faith in first responders may be lacking.