I suspect they mean that some people in the area have an aligned agenda (not necessarily conspiring, just aligned) of trying to push the tech industry back out

I suspect they mean that some people in the area have an aligned agenda (not necessarily conspiring, just aligned) of trying to push the tech industry back out of the city, because they resent the gentrification. Can’t speak to the life depends on it part, but I suppose it’s an allusion to the dangers of crime.