"... Boston police spent $627,000 on this equipment by dipping into money seized in connection with alleged crimes."
In other words, steal from the citizens, then spend the money on "spy tech" so you can find more stuff to steal.
Boston police bought spy tech with a pot of money hidden from the public
17 December 2021
Across the country, some law enforcement agencies have deployed controversial surveillance technology to track cell phone location and use. Critics say it threatens constitutional rights and members of Congress have moved to restrain its use. Nonetheless, in 2019 the Boston Police Department bought the device known as a cell site simulator — and tapped a hidden pot of money that kept the purchase out of the public eye. A WBUR investigation with ProPublica found elected officials and the public were largely kept in the dark when Boston police spent $627,000 on this equipment by dipping into money seized in connection ...
Boston police bought spy tech with a pot of money hidden from the public
Boston police used a "slush fund" to pay for a surveillance device that can grab cell phone data from suspects — and also from other phones nearby. The department says it has no policy on using the controversial spy gear.
www.wbur.org