In 2019 the Boston Police Dept. bought a device known as a cell site simulator — and tapped a hidden pot of money that kept the purchase out of the public eye.
An undated photo shows the StingRay II, manufactured by Harris Corp., of Melbourne, Fla., a cell site simulator used for surveillance purposes.
WBUR asked Boston police spokesman Boyle what policies and procedures the department has for the use of the powerful and controversial technology. He said it has none. He said the communities being surveilled deserve to be a part of the discussion around the equipment and technology affecting them. The criminal justice reform act passed in 2018 mandated, for the first time, that Massachusetts district attorneys file annual reports to the state treasurer’s office on how they spent their share of proceeds from civil forfeitures. The law also references that similar reports be created by police departments, but its interpretation varies.
"It is incredibly disappointing to learn that police departments have just decided not to provide any information to the public."Some police departments told WBUR they thought the reporting was voluntary.
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