this post was submitted on 28 May 2026
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Regretful cities aren't sure how to cancel their surveillance contracts, so they are literally covering their cameras.

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[–] MrKoyun@lemmy.world 18 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (4 children)

Why aren't they just... Removing them?

Oh. Its probably because removing them is unnecessarily complicated so they need the company to come do it for them.

[–] bold_atlas@lemmy.world 25 points 6 days ago (3 children)

You don't have to worry about a complicated removal if you have an angle grinder.

[–] lando55@lemmy.zip 4 points 6 days ago

You'd be surprised how few worries I have when I'm brandishing an angle grinder

[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (2 children)

on a totally unrelated topic, but harbor freight is a great place to get affordable tools.

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[–] frostysauce@lemmy.world 14 points 6 days ago (3 children)

If you had read the article you'd know that the cities aren't sure if they can remove them under the terms of their contracts with flock. So they're covering them while working that out.

[–] MrKoyun@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

I in fact did not read the article.

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 7 points 6 days ago

I'm pretty sure one city did remove them and then Flock just came and put new ones up which is what lead to the trash bags.

[–] INHALE_VEGETABLES@aussie.zone 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] SethTaylor@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Why read all article when some article good enough?

What am I? Some kind of readist? A phisosopher?

[–] INHALE_VEGETABLES@aussie.zone 2 points 6 days ago

READING FOR NERDS

[–] sobchak@programming.dev 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I've heard the excuse that they're private property so they can't. They're not hard to remove though. They're usually just attached to poles with pipe clamps.

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[–] Pulsar@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

If I remember correctly the agreement is some kind of lease, so the city/county doesn't really own them after they are installed.

[–] W3dd1e@lemmy.zip 14 points 6 days ago (1 children)

This is an better idea. I was going to shoot them with a paintball gun.

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

iirc, paintball marker is slightly translucent, right? So maybe like...a sticker?

[–] W3dd1e@lemmy.zip 5 points 6 days ago (3 children)

Some of the cameras by me are a little high up, which is why initially I thought paintball.

I bet I could fly a drone with a trash bag over it though.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 9 points 6 days ago

One of those spray-can extension poles would probably work pretty well.

[–] glitch1985@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago

Must have been a scary ghost that disabled those spy cameras.

[–] Widdershins@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

My neighbor used to put marbles in his paintball gun

[–] NehpetsDoom@lemmy.zip 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Trash bags just do that sometimes...

[–] glitch1985@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

Getting the plastic bag scene from American Beauty vibes.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 7 points 6 days ago

I'm surprised Dayton is doing even that. It's a low bar, sure, but it's also Dayton.

[–] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Article reminded me that some people say "by accident" (me) and some say "on accident" (my cousins).

[–] jobbies@lemmy.zip 1 points 6 days ago

Thats a journalist though. They should know better.

[–] Sirdubdee@piefed.social 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I wonder how safe the poles are, compared to well tested road signs that are up. Those easily break off when hit. Will you end up with a solar panel through your windshield in an accident? I feel like one good lawsuit could make Flock have to replace every one of them if a lawyer can convince 12 people that they are a physical danger.

[–] Killer@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

I've seen multiple videos showing they aren't installed properly and won't break away.

[–] TryingToBeGood@reddthat.com 3 points 6 days ago
[–] caboose2006@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

Just read the headline. Good

[–] sureshot0@discuss.online 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

News to me. I wonder when, if ever, I will see this in real life.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 7 points 6 days ago (2 children)

You don't have any trash bags?

[–] sureshot0@discuss.online 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I've never seen anyone covering Flock cameras nor have I ever seen an average person break a minor law without severe live-ruining repercussions. I have only ever heard of rich people breaking major laws without repercussions.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

You don't hear about it because they haven't been caught. Then again, we're talking about covering up a camera... 🤔

Wear a mask and clothing you have never been seen in before that you can dispose of afterward. Maybe use stilts so they'll be looking for a really tall fucker.

[–] sureshot0@discuss.online 4 points 6 days ago

No, I mean I have never seen a flock camera with a bag over it.

One can also purchase aerosol can extension poles for use with spray paint.

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