Police Observation Devices (PODs): Their Capabilities and How to Spot Them, by 4nt1p4tt3rn

We live in a time of unprecedented, near-ubiquitous surveillance. Almost everything we do or say is recorded, tracked, correlated, analyzed, categorized, and alerted on. Not just by devices in public spaces, but those we voluntarily place in our homes or on our person as well. Increasingly, law enforcement is using data from these devices to enforce an ever more Orwellian, dystopic rule.

Today, I want to educate you on one such device, commonly known as the Police Observation Device, or POD. These devices can be found in growing numbers in urban, suburban, and even rural areas. Police Observation Devices (PODs) are specialized equipment used by law enforcement agencies for surveillance and monitoring purposes. These devices can range from simple CCTV cameras to more advanced systems with multiple sensors and analytical capabilities. Manufacturers include, but are not limited to: Axis Communications, Hikvision, Dahua Technology, Bosch Security Systems, Panasonic, Honeywell Security, FLIR Systems, Samsung Techwin (now part of Hanwha Group, Pelco, and others.

Here is one example of a relatively low-tech version, designed to be quickly deployed:

Note that it allows real-time remote observation via its built-in cell modem. This is a common feature among PODs, and should be considered table stakes for any observation device these days. It also has active infrared capability, via built-in IR illuminators, and an internal hard drive for storing recent video. The video, live or previously recorded, can be accessed remotely either via a PC, or via a cellphone with the provided app. There is also a covert version, disguised to resemble a pole-mounted power transformer:

An upgraded version of the first model also includes license plate recognition technology, and can be equipped with thermal optics:

Here are two examples of ALPR/ANPR (Automatic License Plate Reader/Automatic Number Plate Reader) cameras. On the left is the Vector ALPR, and on the right is the Vector SR.

The major difference between the two is the radar gun found on the Vector SR. Both of these devices can read plates day or night (via active IR), and are equipped with cellular modems for data transmission. The Vector SR is often used to enforce red light and/or speeding violations.

These systems can be given a list of plates to alert on, and they will generate real-time alerts as the plates are encountered. They can also be used to track vehicle movement, per their marketing material:

These are sometimes found in conjunction with traffic cameras mounted over roadways on poles, overpasses, signage, etc.

The Chicago Police Department is quite open about their use of PODs. They even have a history of their use and capabilities in the city here: https://home.chicagopolice.org/inside-cpd/police-observation-device-pod-cameras/. This is a description of the current-generation PODs, from that page:

It’s interesting to note that these devices are enclosed in a non-ballistic material, and that the evolution of the devices is towards smaller, less identifiable, more covert units.

This is a more typical example of a POD, this one from New York City:

And here’s one from Sacramento:

They usually have clear police or sheriff markings, and (usually) have a bright blue light, steady or flashing. The ones in my AO aren’t quite as conspicuous, but only barely. They tend to have the camera domes mounted flush to the main body, rather than hanging off in separate pods, like the Sacramento example above.

Beyond the capabilities we’ve already discussed, these systems also typically have ShotSpotter technology, meaning they have microphones installed designed to help law enforcement quickly triangulate the unique audio signature of gunfire. However, these microphones can acquire any ambient audio as well. While ShotSpotter officials will claim this isn’t possible, much like virtual assistants, the microphone is always on. It’s the only way they can acquire the audio to process and analyze in an attempt to identify gunshots.

These devices also sometimes have cellphone tracking technology, leveraging the devices almost everyone carries with them everywhere, to locate and potentially identify those within range. As if that weren’t enough, facial recognition is also available on some of these systems.

The technology is rapidly evolving. There is a company called Flock Safety, out of Atlanta, that’s been selling similar devices to private citizens, businesses, HOAs, etc. since 2017. Their systems are now in over 1,500 cities across 40 states, and the company’s valued at over $2 billion. Here’s an example of who they think their customer base is, and what use cases may be:

The devices they sell are small, cost-effective, and offer all the features I’ve mentioned so far. In addition, the company uses AI to recognize not just plates, but a vague description of a vehicle. E.g., “late-model grey sedan” will elicit hits on a search, returning all late-model grey sedans the units have seen.

One concerning thing to note about that last image: It highlights the fact that these systems are all sharing data with each other, and with LE. And searches are not limited to the camera(s) you purchase, but can potentially span the entire network of cameras nationwide, as well as LE data.

What can be done about all this? Legally, not much, besides working politically to change how things are done. From a technical standpoint, all these devices use cell modems, which means their connections to remote sites are via the cellular network; i.e., RF signals. They all also utilize CCD imaging elements, which are typically sensitive to infrared light. I point these items out because they comprise the obvious weak points of the systems. There is also the physicality of the devices themselves, as has been demonstrated repeatedly recently in London by the group that has been termed “Blade Runners”.

Education and awareness are your surest bets. Know what’s around you, who and what’s watching you, and how. Act accordingly.