this post was submitted on 17 May 2026
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[–] grte@lemmy.ca 70 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That's strange, I didn't see anything.

[–] Frozengyro@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Amazing how those cameras break on their own to look like someone did it.

[–] Leviathan@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Nothing we can do about it, either. Thoughts and prayers.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

or how the poles mysteriously get sawed off.

[–] glitch1985@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

They don't make them like they used to.

[–] sleepmode@lemmy.world 37 points 2 days ago (4 children)

They kept stealing or destroying the ones in my area so they started putting them on massively tall poles. It’s pretty unnerving to look up and notice them everywhere.

[–] Taldan@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

FOIA requests for Flock data are much more permanent solutions to them

So far pretty much every jurisdiction has removed them instead of complying with FOIA requests for footage/data

[–] undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch 4 points 1 day ago

Do you have a source? I want to believe you but I’m genuinely curious. There are a few nearby that I could reasonably request information for (I think).

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 32 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I'm glad they're keeping their cameras safe, but I do worry that a handheld laser could still reach a camera on a tall pole, though the operator might have to stand far enough away that they couldn't be recognized. I hope no one would try to damage a valuable camera like that.

[–] chaogomu@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm glad you share my concerns, especially for green lasers.

[–] taco@anarchist.nexus 12 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That sounds dangerous. Happen to know of any sites that sell such lasers, so I can make sure it's in my network's blocklist?

[–] modus@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

Biglasers.com says they have them. Not sure if it's a legit source or not. 1w lasers are $500.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 1 day ago

or better cut down the poles.

[–] 1D10@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago

God the first person who does this and has an airplane see it is gonna get fucked.

"No I wasn't trying to laze the airplane I was aiming for the flock camera"

[–] Decq@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Assuming these are hollow aluminum poles, could drill a small hole and fill them with hydrochloric acid or something.. Will probably bring them down quickly

It is proper etiquette to yell "timber" when felling a Flock pole.

Much easier to become proficient with the use of a slingshot; old school tech for a modern tech problem.

[–] ikidd@lemmy.dbzer0.com 27 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Probably because they have 3 ounces of gold and a dimebag of meth inside every one.

[–] VitoRobles@lemmy.today 19 points 2 days ago

Why are they smashing them? Is it to steal their rich raw materials hidden inside that you can sell and are impossible to trace back?

Why would anybody smash flock cameras, ones that have hundreds of dollars of raw materials hidden inside of them that you can sell and are impossible to trace back?

[–] Protoknuckles@lemmy.world 19 points 2 days ago

It's good to read news that makes me proud to be an american

[–] ininewcrow@lemmy.ca 18 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Working really hard to keep an eye on common people ... when the country should be looking really closely at those in leadership instead

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 4 points 1 day ago

palantir is looking very hard to moniter eveyrone.

[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Oh no, the horrors...anyways.

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 1 points 1 day ago

I feel like this effort would be better optimized by a drone with black spray paint

Surely one drone could take out about 100 cameras every night?

[–] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 1 points 1 day ago

Those are rookie numbers.

[–] rounding_error@lemmy.today 5 points 2 days ago

Clanker trash article

[–] resipsaloquitur@lemmy.cafe 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Why smash them when they can easily be disabled with a green laser pointer.

[–] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Really? I have a 5W green laser pointer that I think might work well for this then...

[–] LostCarcosan@lemmy.today 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

A 5W laser would disable most things you point it at

[–] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Well I know what I'm doing in a night or two (I want to make sure there aren't a ton of other people around because of reflection).

Are we talking it ruining the camera sensor in seconds? This is exciting.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

I think they are joking about the 5w part, as that's an incredibly powerful laser then. Its likely you have the number wrong?

[–] Lumisal@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Remember your goggles though

[–] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago

100%, the thing honestly freaks me out

[–] plz1@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 days ago

Some people attain their cathartic vibes in different ways. Also, smashing is more permanent; more parts have to be replaced to get it functional.