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Cops Used the Shoplifting Panic to Buy Tons of New Equipment
https://theappeal.org/shoplifting-panic-police-military-gear-license-plate-readers-facial-recognition/The grants also reveal other technology and resources departments say they need that far exceed the needs of catching shoplifters:
• Cell Phone Interceptors: The Santa Clara Police Department requested $700,000 plus a $50,000 yearly licensing fee for a vehicle equipped with a StingRay cell phone-tracking device to intercept cell phone calls, texts, and location data. The department says the equipment will catch hardened criminals who go mobile. The department says it intends to use the StingRay at least 100 times yearly, citing other use cases, including corporate shareholder meetings and next year’s Super Bowl. The Ventura Sheriff’s Department is also purchasing one for $850,000.
• Bolstered K9 Units: Beverly Hills Police Department, a city already covered in surveillance technology, is buying an Electronic Storage Detection K9 to detect odors and chemicals from electronic devices. The dog costs $54,050, which includes kenneling and training.
• Social-Media Surveillance: Five California departments are purchasing subscriptions to social media surveillance software to monitor the dark web and track suspects. The most prevalent software is Israeli-created Cobwebs Technologies, which uses public cell phone and social media location data. The Hawthorne Police Department is taking it further by using Cobwebs with surveillance facial recognition software Clearview AI.
• Guns and tactical equipment: Multiple departments are getting new military equipment and weapons for retail theft operations, including rifles, shields, bulletproof vests, and night vision goggles. The Bakersfield Police Department claims retail crime will continue to grow without these resources.
• Cell Phone Interceptors: The Santa Clara Police Department requested $700,000 plus a $50,000 yearly licensing fee for a vehicle equipped with a StingRay cell phone-tracking device to intercept cell phone calls, texts, and location data. The department says the equipment will catch hardened criminals who go mobile. The department says it intends to use the StingRay at least 100 times yearly, citing other use cases, including corporate shareholder meetings and next year’s Super Bowl. The Ventura Sheriff’s Department is also purchasing one for $850,000.
• Bolstered K9 Units: Beverly Hills Police Department, a city already covered in surveillance technology, is buying an Electronic Storage Detection K9 to detect odors and chemicals from electronic devices. The dog costs $54,050, which includes kenneling and training.
• Social-Media Surveillance: Five California departments are purchasing subscriptions to social media surveillance software to monitor the dark web and track suspects. The most prevalent software is Israeli-created Cobwebs Technologies, which uses public cell phone and social media location data. The Hawthorne Police Department is taking it further by using Cobwebs with surveillance facial recognition software Clearview AI.
• Guns and tactical equipment: Multiple departments are getting new military equipment and weapons for retail theft operations, including rifles, shields, bulletproof vests, and night vision goggles. The Bakersfield Police Department claims retail crime will continue to grow without these resources.
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