Do Chicago Police Have a Surveillance Slush Fund?

A Cook County judge recently ordered the Chicago Police Department, already in turmoil over fatal shooting incidents, to turn over all records of its use of cellphone tracking devices, known as Stingrays. By imitating cellphone towers, Stingrays make it possible to collect data about cellphone users’ locations and calls. The Cook County decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by Freddy Martinez, director of Lucy Parsons Labs, a Chicago-based collective of techies and activists. Using a barrage of FOIA requests, they’ve sought information on what surveillance equipment the cops have, how opaquely they obtain it, and how they use it. Bob talks with Martinez about this effort. 

 Song:

"Little Motel" by Modest Mouse