iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 16h

Here is a video from a Hayward Police Department Knightscope robot that was stationed in a parking garage. Turns out it got knocked over quite a few times, was essentially an attractive nuisance and the contract was not renewed.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Anaheim PD to buy another Nyxcell cell site simulator (CSS) and upgrade existing one to 5G for $1,702,500. CSS are used to track cellular devices, are usually mounted in SUVs or trucks, and are combined with handheld tracking devices.

Text from staff report:

"CSS technology will only be deployed: (1) pursuant to a valid search warrant issued by a magistrate upon a showing of probable cause, or (2) in exigent circumstances involving imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, with a warrant application to be submitted to a magistrate within 72 hours of use. All use of CSS technology will be governed by Anaheim Police Department Policy on Cellular Site Simulator Usage and in conjunction with this acquisition as required by California Government Code Section 53166.

This technology has a variety of investigative uses including locating missing persons, locating at-risk individuals/victims, apprehending violent felony suspects/fugitives, and assisting with search and rescue efforts. In addition, CSS can support major drug trafficking, human trafficking, and organized crime investigations.

CSS technology intercepts data that is registered to unique device identifiers, which alone, are unattributable to a person. It does not intercept the content of communications, including voice calls, text messages, emails, or application data. All data collected does not contain any personally identifiable information and per policy is purged at the conclusion of the investigation. A warrant is required to obtain the subscriber information related to the unique device identifier.

The NyxCell equipment in this proposal provides a comprehensive, mobile, deployable CSS solution that addresses all of the investigative needs of the department. This particular system offers technical capabilities that distinguish it from all other providers on the market. Additionally, acquiring and upgrading NyxCell equipment will provide the department with interoperability and compatibility with several local law enforcement partners, including the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department."

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Pathetic, but also once again, the sycophants in the current administration continue to demonstrate their incompetence and lack of attention to detail. 🙄

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

San Leandro to spend $405,000 in no-bid contract for consulting from Peregrine Technologies and its Peregrine Pro Software platform, which is used for "real-time" crime centers to enhance mass surveillance. @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social @twrling.bsky.social sanleandro.legistar.com/LegislationD...

Text from slice deck of presentation to city council on October 5, 2026:

Peregrine is a data integration platform for public for public-safety agencies.

- Unifies information from existing agency systems.

- Cleans and organizes authorized data.

- Makes information easier to search and understand.

- Identifies connections across people, locations, incidents, and records.

- Supports secure collaboration and information sharing.

- Key Principle: When critical information is easier to access and understand, agencies can make better operational decisions and get residents the help they need faster.

- Peregrine helps personnel make informed and accurate decisions more quickly.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Richmond (CA) looks to spend $20,000 with Police Strategies for an objective analysis of automated license plate readers. Police Strategies' staff are former law enforcement, so I'm skeptical of any "objective" analysis from the firm. @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social @twrling.bsky.social

Tex from agenda item N.7.a for October 6, 2026, Richmond City Council meeting in Richmond, California.

N.7.a Contract Amendment No. 1 with Police Strategies, LLC to Provide an
Objective Analysis of Automated License Plate Readers
953
APPROPRIATE $20,000 to the Police Department’s General Fund
budget and APPROVE a contract amendment with Police Strategies
LLC to expand the scope of work to provide objective statistical
analysis of Richmond data regarding the effectiveness of Automated
License Plate Readers in reducing crime, recovering stolen vehicles,
supporting criminal investigations, and making arrests that lead to
conviction, as well as information regarding data retention and
information sharing for license plate reader systems under
consideration, and increase the contract not-to-exceed amount by
$20,000 – Police Department (Chief Timothy Simmons 510-620-
1802).

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Richmond (CA) looks to spend additional $3.5 million to switch from Flock to Axon AI-powered license plate and surveillance cameras and $500,000 on Verkada surveillance cameras at its Oct. 6 meeting. Continued from Sept. meetings. @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social @twrling.bsky.social

Text from agenda item O.1 for Richmond City Council meeting on October 6, 2026.

Contract Amendment with Axon Enterprise and Contract with Assure MSP, Inc. for Law Enforcement and City Facility Video Technology, Surveillance, and Support Services

APPROVE a contract amendment with Axon Enterprise to continue servicing body-worn cameras, taser devices, interview room equipment, and virtual reality training equipment, and to add license plate reader and surveillance equipment, increasing the contract amount by $3,500,000, for a total amount not to exceed $12,000,000, for the term of October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029, with two one-year extension options through September 30, 2031;
APPROVE a contract with Assure MSP, Inc. for Verkada closed-circuit
television camera equipment and related services at various City facilities, in an amount not to exceed $500,000, for the term of October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029; AUTHORIZE the City Attorney’s Office to negotiate and finalize the contracts; and AUTHORIZE the city manager, or their designee, to execute the contracts – Police Department (Chief Timothy Simmons 510-621-1802). This item was continued from the September 15, and September 22, 2026, meetings.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Contra Costa Sheriff clarifies its purchase of a Lenco Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck (BEARCAT) armored personnel carrier for $450,000 funded from the Law Enforcement Capital Projects (CLEEP) Fund. Originally approved 6/9/2026. contra-costa.legistar.com/LegislationD...

Photograph of Lenco Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck personnel carrier

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Kern County Sheriff is selling a Glock model 47 to a retiring officer and ensuring more guns on our streets. itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...

Text from agenda item:

AUTHORIZATION FOR THE KERN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO SELL DUTY WEAPON AND OPTIC EACH VALUED AT LESS THAN $500

(Fiscal Impact: $510 Revenue; Not Budgeted; Discretionary)

The Sheriff's Office is requesting your Board's authorization to sell retiring Commander Raul Murillo his duty weapon and optic upon retirement.

Commander Raul Murillo's duty weapon is a Glock model 47; serial number CBXT810, valued at $305. The optic is an Aimpoint ACRO; serial number W5524631, valued at $205. Commander Raul Murillo will retirement [sic] on January 8, 2027.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Kern Co. Sheriff to buy two more unspecified drones for not more than $21,000. itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...

Text from agenda item:

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF MID-YEAR CAPITAL ASSET ACQUISITION OF TWO DRONES

(Fiscal Impact: $30,000; Cal-MMET Asset Forfeiture Fund; Not Budgeted; Discretionary)

The Kern County Sheriff's Office is requesting Board approval for a mid-year capital asset acquisition of two drones in an amount not to exceed $21,000 and purchase of eighteen ballistic vests in an amount not to exceed $9,000 from the California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team (Cal-MMET) State Asset Forfeiture Fund. The funding was approved by the Cal-MMET Executive Committee on July 30, 2026. The Sheriff's Office is the fiduciary agent for asset forfeiture funds maintained by the CAL-MMET Task Force.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

When you're embarrassed to be driving a Tesla Model Y, but not too embarrassed to claim it's a Xiaomi elecrtic vehicle.

Photograph of a Tesla Model Y with Tesla markings one and replaced by Xiaomi markings.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Vallejo to spend $464,000 of Measure P funds for Axon tasers, body cameras, dashcam/license plate readers, drone software, and other software and services. @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social vallejoca.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/...

Text from agenda packet (source: https://vallejoca.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13692,plainText=false)):

RECOMMENDATION

Provide Notice of Intent to Amend the FY 2026/2027 Budget to appropriate up to $464,000 of Measure P funds to fund Axon Enterprise, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

Staff requests the City Council provide Notice of Intent to Amend the FY 2026/2027 Budget to appropriate $464,000 of Measure P funds for the continuation of Axon Enterprise Inc. Agreement. This will continue to enhance community safety, improve emergency response and police investigations, as well as maintain crime prevention benefits. This funding will be for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 for the Axon Enterprise Inc.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

On December 2, 2024, this agreement and proposed technology was presented to the City’s Surveillance Advisory Board (SAB). SAB recommended the City Council support this agreement and proposed technology.

On December 17, 2024 the City Council accepted SAB's recommendation and approved the contract with Axon Enterprise Inc.

This contract with Axon for the Officer Safety Plan 10+, which bundles all Axon products and features into one contract for easy budget management, cost savings, and includes all maintenance and upgrades as new products are released. This ensures the City has state-of-the-art technology on a consistent basis. This contract offers the following features:

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

San Pablo (CA) looks to approve drone delivery staging site at 3400 San Pablo Dam Road for Alphabet (Google) subsidiary Wing Aviation. sanpablo.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...

Image of proposed six drone pad "nest" layout from agenda item slide deck.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Riverside Co. Sheriff to spend $750,000 in no-bid contract for parts, inspection services, and repairs for its Teledyne FLIR surveillance cameras on its aircraft. riversidecountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Fil...

Text from agenda item (https://riversidecountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=30&ID=209516&MeetingID=3373)

SUBJECT: SHERIFF-CORONER-PA: Approve the purchase of replacement parts, inspection services, and repairs for Sheriff’s Aviation Teledyne FLIR camera systems from Teledyne FLIR Defense, Inc. without seeking competitive bids for a total aggregate amount of $750,000 for five years; All Districts [Total cost $750,000 100% Sheriff's Budget]
RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of Supervisors:

1. Approve the purchase of replacement parts, inspection services, and repairs for Sheriff’s Aviation Teledyne FLIR camera systems from Teledyne FLIR Defense, Inc. without seeking competitive bids for a total aggregate amount of $750,000 for five years through June 30, 2031; and

2. Authorize the Purchasing Agent, in accordance with Ordinance No. 459, based on the availability of fiscal funding to issue Purchase Orders to Teledyne FLIR Defense, Inc. as a Sole Source vendor for the repair, parts and inspections of Sheriff’s Aviation FLIR camera systems through June 30, 2031.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Riverside Co. Sheriff to spend additional $1,427,302 on no-bid contract for Pen-Link's Tangle Bronze Suite that can "collect, organize, and analyze data from cellular devices, applications, GPS sources, encrypted communications, and other digital channels..."

Text from agenda item staff report (Source: https://riversidecountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=30&ID=209503)

As criminal activity increasingly relies on encrypted applications and internet-based technologies, RSO requires expanded capabilities to efficiently process and analyze digital evidence. With the volume, variety, and sophistication of digital communications that have grown beyond our current licensing structure with PenLink, RSO is requesting to expand its PenLink capability through the purchase of Tangle Bronze Suite. The addition of the Tangle Bronze Suite represents a significant expansion of the department’s digital investigative capabilities. While existing tools support mapping and analysis of historical and live data, the Tangle Bronze Suite enhances the department’s ability to perform real-time data aggregation, advanced analytics and cross platform intelligence within a single, unified system. The Tangle Bronze Suite bridges this gap by providing enhanced data aggregation, real-time monitoring, and advanced analytics in a single environment designed specifically for law enforcement investigations.

The platform supports court-ordered monitoring requirements and allows investigators to efficiently collect, organize, and analyze data from cellular devices, applications, GPS sources, encrypted communications, and other digital channels commonly associated with criminal activity. Furthermore, the platform supports secure, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)-compliant data handling, storage, and reporting.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Richmond (CA) looks to spend additional $3.5 million to switch from Flock to Axon AI-powered license plate and surveillance cameras and $500,000 on Verkada surveillance cameras at its Sep. 22 meeting. @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social @twrling.bsky.social

Agenda item from September 22, 2026, Richmond City Council agenda. (source: https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/17893)

W.1 Contract Amendment with Axon Enterprise and Contract with Assure MSP, Inc. for Law Enforcement and City Facility Video Technology, Surveillance, and Support Services

295 APPROVE a contract amendment with Axon Enterprise to continue servicing body-worn cameras, taser devices, interview room equipment, and virtual reality training equipment, and to add license plate reader and surveillance equipment, increasing the contract amount by $3,500,000, for a total amount not to exceed $12,000,000, for the term of October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029, with two one-year extension options through September 30, 2031; APPROVE a contract with Assure MSP, Inc. for Verkada closed-circuit television camera equipment and related services at various City facilities, in an amount not to exceed $500,000, for the term of October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029; AUTHORIZE the City Attorney’s Office to negotiate and finalize the contracts; and AUTHORIZE the city manager, or their designee, to execute the contracts – Police Department (Chief Timothy Simmons 510-621-1802). This item was continued from the September 15, 2026, meeting.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Every Flock "transparency" portal says that only vehicles and license plates are detected. It specifically states that people are NOT detected. But that is a lie. New reporting documents that people ARE also detected. What else is Flock lying about?

Screenshot from Flock transparency portal (https://transparency.flocksafety.com/chula-vista-ca-pd) stating that license plates and vehicles are detected. It also states that facial recognition, people, gender & race are NOT detected.

Text from Wired article (https://www.wired.com/story/hackers-flock-camera-data-shows-how-system-works/):

While much of the automatic license plate reader’s most sensitive storage remained encrypted and inaccessible, the joint analysis of the recovered data shows that software running on the device explicitly detects people as well as vehicles, license plates, and bicycles.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Albany (CA) rejects mass surveillance using license plate readers. Flock contract expired 9/11 and council voted 4-0-1 to reject a contract with Motorola. www.albanyscanner.com/2026/09/09/c...

Quote from linked article (https://www.albanyscanner.com/2026/09/09/city/albany-rejects-license-plate-cameras-flock-contract-ends/):

"[There is] no evidence that the systems reduce crime overall, particularly violent crime," Albany resident and UCSF professor Carol Camlin told council members. "The cameras create searchable records of the movements of thousands of ordinary people, suspected of nothing, and the risks, misuses and harms of [the technology] has already been documented."

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

San Pablo Police to spend $100,000 to extend contract with Peregrine until 2027 (since 2018). Peregrine is a data centralization platform for law enforcement founded and staffed by former Palantir employees. @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social @twrling.bsky.social sanpablo.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...

Text from agenda item for September 8, 2026, San Pablo City Council meeting

12. 26-417 CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROPRIATING $100,000 FROM THE
SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES GRANT FUND 210
(SLESF) FOR THE RENEWAL OF SOFTWARE LICENSE SERVICES
WITH PEREGRINE TECHNOLOGIES FROM JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH
JUNE 30, 2027, AT A COST OF $100,000 AS OUTLINED WITHIN THE
EXISTING CONTRACT AGREEMENT

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

In order to switch from Flock to Axon, the agency will have to switch the hardware. On the left, Flock, on the right, Axon.

Photo of Flock Safety AI-powered license plate reader camera

Photograph of Axon Outpost AI-powered license plate reader cameras (that can also livestream video)

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

This graphic printed on a receipt from a store within the Petrified Forest National Park seems quite odd and inappropriate to me. Why not iconic images of the park itself or more of the petrified wood for which it is known?

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Ventura Co. Sheriff to get Axon Drone as First Responder (DFR) with an estimated annual cost of $1.5 million paid by Camarillo and Thousand Oaks. www.documentcloud.org/documents/28...

Background

For more than a decade, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has employed UAS technology to supplement patrol operations throughout the county. These aircraft are designated by Ventura County Ordinance No. 4603 as Military Equipment. The Sheriff’s Office was the first UAS unit in California to receive its Operational Certificate of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2013. Our UAS unit flies diverse missions, including suspect searches, exterior building searches, high-risk apprehension of armed/violent suspects, missing persons searches, crime scene documentation, traffic collision scene documentation, natural disaster management, and other public safety and life-saving missions. The program has provided an effective way of providing law enforcement deputies with critical real-time information during responses to calls for service and emergency operations.

As currently designed, our UAS program is a collateral assignment with 36 pilots. This means our pilots have primary assignments throughout the agency and respond to calls for service or pre-planned operations as their primary assignment allows. Each pilot is highly trained and holds an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate to operate a UAS. The collateral UAS Unit flies day or night operations, indoor and outdoor. Each UAS mission requires two personnel, one to pilot the aircraft and another to act as an observer.

In 2025 alone, our UAS team flew 687 missions. The most prevalent flight occurs when our patrol personnel from one of the five contract cities or the unincorporated area of the county request assistance on suspect searches or exterior building searches. A certified pilot responds to the scene and finds any deputy on scene who can act as an observer. The pilot flies the mission and the observer communicates information from the pilot to the other deputies on scene. While the UAS unit provides a significant benefit to the operation, there are drawbacks to the operation ...

Image of drone and drone dock from staff report:

The X10 will be housed in a dock as seen below, with 6 drones located in 3 pairs in Thousand Oaks and 4 drones located in 2 pairs in Camarillo. The docks are paired in twos and stationed in locations in the respective cities to maximize coverage capabilities.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

San Bernardino Co. Sheriff to buy BEARCAT (Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck) armored personnel carrier for $531,000. sanbernardino.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...

Image of Lenco BEARCAT (Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck) G3

Image of quotation 113259 from Lenco Armored Vehicles for Bearcat G3 dated July 30, 2026

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Riverside Co. Sheriff to spend additional $18,204,907 for 2,000+ body cameras with livestreaming, AI tools, and real-time crime center video feeds and data sharing. riversidecountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Fil...

Text from staff report:

Currently proposed:
• 2086 Axon Body 4 Cameras
• Basic Camera Livestreaming - Carried over but now for 2086 users
• Pro-Tier Advanced Tools and full feature access for all users and managers
• Auto Tagging - Carried over w/ 3% annual increase but now for 2086 users
• Unlimited Storage - Carried over w/ 3% annual increase but now for 2086 users

• ADDED AXON Productivity Suite:

o Provides productivity-enhancing tools that assist personnel with report drafting digital evidence transcription, electronic form completion, and automated metadata captured to streamline documentation and investigative workflows.
o Draft One - Human guided AI assisted report writing
o Form One - automatically complete web-based forms including the use-of-force and pursuit forms.
o Auto-Transcribe - unlimited transcription of all digital evidence
o Smart Capture - automatically records relevant metadata of images and video for faster, more productive, and accurate searches

• ADDED Development and Deployment of Real-time Crime Center:

Enables integration and voluntary access to relevant live video feeds and digital evidence from surrounding public safety agencies, including participating country and city law enforcement agencies, to enhance situation awareness and investigative capabilities.

Added Modules supporting tasks for Incident Reporting, Property Reporting, Booking Information, Warrants, Case Management, Personnel, and Analytics.

Added Indexing for people, organizations, vehicles, locations, property, offenses, and arrests - to further enhance and streamline search and investigative
capabilities

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Kern Co. Sheriff to acquire a second Rook armored vehicle as part of no-bid contract for $621,763. itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...

Photo of Rook armored vehicle from manufacturer website: https://therook.ringpower.com/specs

Tracked vehicle is based on Cat® Compact Track Loader chassis

Text from staff report:

REQUEST FOR SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT OF ONE ROOK ARMORED
VEHICLE BY RING POWER CORPORATION
(Fiscal Impact: $621,763; Budgeted; Discretionary)

The Sheriff's Office is requesting Board approval for sole source procurement of an armored critical incident vehicle (Rook) in an amount not to exceed $621,763.

The Rook has been identified by the Sheriff's Office as an essential piece of specialized SWAT equipment that will significantly enhance operational safety. Its capabilities support safer tactical approaches, the rescue and evacuation of citizens and officers, and improved maneuverability within the inner perimeter of an incident. These technical advantages help command staff assess appropriate use of force, reduce the amount of time spent on scene, and lessen immediate risks to officers, nearby structures, and the public. The full cost of this procurement is already included in the approved budget.

The Rook includes advanced features such as remote operation and wireless connectivity to the command post, making it highly effective during incidents involving terrorism, armed or barricaded subjects, and hostage situations.

The purchase package includes quick-detachable attachments that provide multiple tactical options, such as breaching structures, removing obstacles, and deploying an armored platform capable of elevating operators to second-story positions. The upgraded armored platform further enhances this capability by allowing operators to reach up to a third story, greatly expanding operational flexibility without compromising the safety of officers. A transport trailer is also included as part of the acquisition.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Awesome, now do the city! And the airport! 🙄

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Antioch (CA) claims in a staff report for its Axon sole-source contract that "Motorola is decommissioning its ALPR platform...." Seems like something for journalists @jasonkoebler.bsky.social or @josephcox.bsky.social from @404media.co to investigate. www.antiochca.gov/AgendaCenter...

Text from agenda item for Antioch City Council agenda staff report for August 125, 2026, city council meeting:

"Motorola is decommissioning its ALPR platform, and the proposed purchase would replace and consolidate the two fixed systems into a single Axon network while expanding fixed coverage. The updated quote stages 38 Axon Outpost locations beginning in 2026 and 17 additional locations in 2027, for 55 fixed ALPR locations"

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Kern County Probation Department doing its part to keep handguns on the streets by selling a Glock 17 to retiring probation officer. itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...

Text from staff report:

"This letter is to request your Board's authorization to sell Senior Deputy Probation Officer Marin Sanchez, her duty weapon upon retirement. Officer Sanchez' weapon is a Glock, model 17, serial number BZHZ107. valued at $272. Officer Sanchez will retire on September 5, 2026; her last physical day is September 4, 2026."

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Coachella set to prohibit data centers with a second reading of Ordinance No. 1231 at its August 26, 2026, meeting. meetings.municode.com/d/f?u=https:...

Text of agenda item 6, which is part of the consent calendar:

"Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1231 Adding Chapter 17.92 to Title XVII of the Coachella Municipal Code to Prohibit Data Center Uses Within the City of Coachella"

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Antioch to replace Motorola and Flock license plate readers with Axon Outpost as part of sole-source $661,687.54 contract to expand to 55 license plate readers, more dash cameras, and AI assistant licenses. www.antiochca.gov/AgendaCenter... @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social @deflock.org

Photograph of pole-mounted Axon Outpost camera/license plate reader that can also live stream video.

Photograph of Axon Fleet 3 dash camera that is also an automated license plate reader.

Text from staff report:

ALPR and in-car video are established technologies at the Antioch Police Department (APD). The Department currently operates fixed ALPR cameras through Motorola and Flock. Motorola is decommissioning its ALPR platform, and the proposed purchase would replace and consolidate the two fixed systems into a single Axon network while expanding fixed coverage. The updated quote stages 38 Axon Outpost locations beginning in 2026 and 17 additional locations in 2027, for 55 fixed ALPR locations under the agreement. The purchase also adds six Fleet 3 systems to support the Department's expanding patrol fleet and 120 Axon AI Assistant licenses.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Get Flock out of Oakland! This Sunday (8/23) at 2pm at the Fruitvale BART station. @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social @oakcopoversight.bsky.social

Flyer for Get the Flock out of Oakland, Sunday 8/23 at 2pm at Fruitvale BART

As Flock National Week of Action comes to an end, join us and push for Alameda County to drop Flock! Take to the streets and show the city of Oakland that we will protect our FRUITVALE communities from mass surveillance.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

AI-powered surveillance cameras tracking your car aren't just mounted on poles, they are also mounted on trailers that can appear just about anywhere, including rural roads and interstate highways. #ALPR #licenseplatereader @deflock.org Some examples:

Trailer with a single Motorola license plate reader on rural road. Appears to just be a trailer to display your speed.

Trailer with two covert Motorola license plate readers (one for each lane of traffic) on interstate. Appears to just be a trailer to notify you of the speed limit.

Trailer with a single covert Axon license plate reader on suburban road. Appears to just be a trailer to display your speed.

Different angle of the trailer with a single covert Axon license plate reader on suburban road. Appears to just be a trailer to display your speed.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

In the Washington Post, "How rogue officers turned a nationwide camera network [Flock] into a tool for stalking" When you create a mass surveillance network, it gets abused by those with power against those who lack power. washingtonpost.com/technology/2... No paywall: archive.is/MTtt9#select...

Text from the story:

"In an interview with The Post, Flock chief executive Garrett Langley said misuse of its systems is inevitable and that the company is focused on providing tools to catch perpetrators after the fact."

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

In Roseville, California, police found that Flock cameras incorrectly read license plates in 71% of the 1,427 alerts in 2023 and 2024. Mass surveillance endangers all of us! @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social @deflock.org www.businessinsider.com/flock-camera...

Text from linked Business Insider article:

"In 2023 and 2024, Flock sent 1,427 alerts to Roseville police, flagging vehicles as stolen or used in a felony after they passed one of the city's Flock cameras. An analysis by the police department found that in 71% of those alerts, Flock's machine-learning software incorrectly read the license plates."

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Hopeful and inspirational event with the authors of “On Courage” @juliaangwin.com and @fieldsmeyer.com in San Francisco this evening along with some pretty awesome audience members.

Photograph showing Julia Angwin and Ami Fields-Meyer seated at Mannys in San Francisco.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Kern Co. Sheriff selling a Glock G47 handgun with Aimpoint ACRO optic sight in ongoing efforts to keep more handguns on the street. itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Shocking that federal prosecutors would decline to open a criminal investigation into Trump's longtime teleprompter operator. 🙄 Let the corruption continue at all levels of the current administration! "...federal prosecutors in Manhattan, who declined to open a criminal investigation."

Image of text from ABC News article:

"According to sources familiar with the investigation, Perez sat for an interview with regulators in recent months and acknowledged some of the trades. At some point during the investigation, the sources said the CFTC alerted federal prosecutors in Manhattan, who declined to open a criminal investigation."

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

I just submitted by comment! If you haven't done so, please do it before the deadline tomorrow 7/13/2026.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Don't worry, they've been busy installing Motorola license plate readers so the mass surveillance will continue. These Motorola Reaper L5F (VSR-50-925) license plate readers are on Winnetka Avenue. As a bonus, Motorola is the preferred DHS vendor for license plate readers. 🫠

Photograph of Los Angeles Police Department Motorola Reaper L5F (VSR-50-925) license plate readers on Winnetka Avenue.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Riverside Co. Sheriff to get a donation of a Dialed King Sauna and a Dialed Pod Pro (Cold Plunge) for its SWAT team. Once I saw the UFC logo, it made more sense. riversidecountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Fil...

Text from agenda item:

Acceptance of the donated sauna and cold plunge supports the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office commitment to operational readiness, resiliency, recovery, and long-term performance for personnel assigned to specialized tactical operations. SWAT personnel routinely operate in high stress environments involving elevated physical exertion, sleep disruption, critical incident exposure, and sustained operational demands requiring ongoing physical and cognitive readiness.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Kern Co. Sheriff selling two Glock G47 handguns with Aimpoint ACRO optic sights in ongoing efforts to ensure the supply of handguns on the street. itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute... itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Fremont to continue placing cops at each of Fremont's six high schools through 2029. fremontcityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Fil...

Text from agenda item for July 14, 2026 meeting:

Executive Summary: The purpose of this staff report is to authorize the
City Manager or designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) for continued partnership in the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The program enhances school safety and helps to sustain a positive learning environment. The Police Department will continue to provide one police officer for each of the six FUSD high schools within the City of Fremont. FUSD will provide office space, furnishings and a telephone line for each officer. The cost of the program will be jointly shared by the City of Fremont and FUSD. On June 24, 2026, the SRO MOU was approved by the FUSD Board during their scheduled Board Meeting.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Mendocino County also considering a moratorium on approval of new data centers at its next meeting on Jul7 2026. mendocino.granicus.com/AgendaViewer...

Text of Mendocino County agenda item:

Discussion and Possible Action Including Direction to Staff to Return to
the Board with an Urgency Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium Prohibiting the Processing and Approval of New Data Centers to Allow for Evaluation of the Public Health and Environmental Impacts (Sponsors: Supervisor Haschak and Supervisor Williams)

Recommended Action:

Direct staff to return to the Board with an urgency Ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium prohibiting the processing and approval of new data centers to allow for evaluation of the public health and environmental impacts.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Coachella considering a moratorium on data center development at its next meeting on July 8, 2026. meetings.municode.com/d/f?u=https:...

Text of Coachella agenda item:

17. A Public Hearing to Consider an Urgency Ordinance Extending the Temporary Moratorium on Data Center Development for 10 Months and 15 Days and Issuance of Written Report Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65858

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Alameda Co. Sheriff to spend $50k on AT&T to get cell phone location information. @oaklandprivacy.bsky.social www.alamedacountyca.gov/board/bos_ca...

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) requires cellular telephone pings for investigative reasons, such as locating missing persons, tracking wanted suspects, and locating runaway juveniles. The cellular telephone ping service, otherwise known as GPS locator, is a critical tool for ACSO investigators in their course of locating missing persons or tracking subjects. Pings may be requested for exigent circumstances. These situations include, but are not limited to, locating an armed suspect who poses a risk to the public, locating a kidnapped victim, and locating a missing person who has expressed suicidal ideations. Pings may also be obtained pursuant to an issued search warrant during investigations of crimes. Without the use of AT&T's cellular telephone ping service, there will be a delay in locating subjects and solving crimes.

Cell phone pings can only be performed by the carrier that provides service to the specific device, and charges apply for each request. As a result, ACSO must work directly with the applicable carrier to obtain location data. If a phone is serviced by AT&T, only AT&T can process the ping request and provide the location information.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

I absolutely loved this scene in the show "The Boys." Everybody should get paid vacation days, a dental plan, and especially healthcare. Kudos to the creators of the show for normalizing these common sense and compassionate ideas.

Scene from the show "The Boys" in which a character says "And we all deserve paid vacation days, and a dental plan."

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Among the Sacramento County Sheriff's more than 50 drones is this fixed-wing drone that can fly for two hours. agendanet.saccounty.gov/BoardofSuper... event38.com/fixed-wing/e...

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Kern County Sheriff continues to do its part in making sure that police guns end up on the streets by selling a Glock model 47 to a retiring cop. @bradyunited.org itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...

Text from agenda item:

The Sheriff's Office is requesting your Board's authorization to sell retiring Senior Detentions Deputy Marcus Alan Kochanski his duty weapon upon retirement.

Marcus Alan Kochanski's duty weapon is a Glock model 47; serial number CFBA670, valued at $305. Marcus Alan Kochanski will commence terminal vacation on June 18, 2026, with an effective retirement date of June 19, 2026.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Kern County Sheriff seeking county board approval for the producers of the show "COPS" (Langley Productions), to film copaganda from Sep. 14, 2026 to Nov. 21, 2026. itsapps.kerncounty.com/clerk/minute...

Text from agenda item for Kern County Sheriff seeking approval from the Kern County Board of Supervisors for COPS to film for its show:

The Sheriff's Office would like to grant filming access of Sheriff's Office personnel during the performance of their duties to Langley Productions, Inc. for their television show "COPS." "COPS" can be viewed on the Fox Nation streaming service and is one of their top-rated television shows. This will benefit the Kern County Sheriff's Office for recruitment purposes by allowing our department to be displayed on a national platform. In addition, this will enhance transparency between the Sheriff's Office and the community that we serve.

The contract allows the Kern County Sheriff's Office to approve any content prior to airing. Langley Productions, Inc. provides their own liability insurance.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

This seems quite odd as LAPD has been installing Motorola license plate readers all over Los Angeles already. 🤔

Photographs of two Motorola Solutions license plate readers installed on a street light pole in Los Angeles.

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Mike Katz-Lacabe @mlacabe.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

After being extremely disappointed with Zambia's last-minute cancellation of @rightscon.org, I wrote a letter and got this very lame response from the Zambian Embassy. Didn't meet my very low expectations. @accessnow.org

Text of letter from Embassy of the Republic of Zambia to Mike Katz-Lacabe

Dear Mike,

May 21, 2026

REF: RIGHTSCON CONFERENCE

Reference is made to the above subject.

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 2, 2026 regarding the above subject.

Your concerns are well received and have been shared with Headquarters. We further wish to assure you that the Government of the Republic of Zambia remains committed to upholding the principles of transparency and mutual trust in our bilateral relations.

Zambia remains a credible and valued partner in the global community. We are committed to working closely with our international allies to address concerns raised by different stakeholders and individuals like you and strengthen our shared goals of promoting human rights and democratic governance in the digital age.

Sincerely yours,

Chibamba Kanyama
AMBASSADOR

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