How it Works, Police Videocams

After a series way back when on cameras to record police interaction, there is a company in Seattle that sells cameras for Police for their interaction.  One was deployed in a police killing of a suspect in Oakland. But the article has this:

That led to a dispute, the sources said, over whether the department followed policies adopted after the city bought 350 wearable cameras late last year from Vievu of Seattle for $540,000

Well,  that is some $1540 per camera.  Look at the camera in the article.  Look at the cameras that are given away free at trade shows. Certainly the police version is more rugged, but $1540 each?

8 meg spy cameras go for $30.  Sure it is not the same thing, but rugged is $1500 more?  One reason these cost so much is there is so much money chasing so few goods, look at all the orgs with money to pay for such goodies!

Well, here is what Oakland bought at $900, which I found with about 30 seconds of googling.    I bet I can find it much cheaper.

A big reason we are in economic trouble is there is NO government purchase which is not made with people paying too much to do too much.  I am convinced the powers that be are outfitting cops with these for the same reason they are laying on more rules on pilots and writing up high paid teachers.  To get rid of them.  If I was running a cop union, I'd fight these.

At the same time, every citizen should be filming every encounter with any law enforcement.  Keep honest people honest.  You've got the camera anyway, no sense taxpayers should pick up the tab for the powers that be to enrich their cronies as they betray their cops.

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