From Procurement Reports

The following are some of the expenditures pulled from the HPS procurement reports that we flagged as potentially noteworthy. Most indicate a shift towards AI/Predictive policing, information integration, and scalable open source surveillance programs.

The procurement reports themselves can be found here.

Meltwater

A social media “listening” and news monitoring software that can be used to monitor individual users, tags or keywords, locations and be used to gauge public sentiment, action, risk, etc.

For example: in 2016 Baltimore police used listening software to automatedly track protest tags to document users, track and establish networks, and monitor protests. In another instance, police monitored local sentiment after they shot and killed a man with mental illness – and then used social media apps like Nextdoor to do targeted outreach to try and quell dissent.

Other similar programs: Geofeedia, Media Sonar, Snaptrends, Dataminr, DigitalStakeout, PATHAR, Babel Street.

Motorolla

Motorolla Communications is an ongoing expenditure, and could be related to police radios, real time intelligence and video feed management, or both.

BriefCam

Video analytic software that actively pulls data from streams and makes it searchable for features, and includes real-time notifications and facial recognition.

CCDI

Less about surveillance and more about an eye roll here. Yes; *that* CCDI: canadian centre for diversity and inclusion. HPS paid them $45,050.00 in the third quarter of 2020 to help them save themselves from…themselves.

CDW

CDW Canada is a leading provider of technology solutions for business, government, education and healthcare.

Cellebrite

Since at least 2018, HPS has been paying Cellebrite for use of their phone encryption cracking software. We know this technology was recently – and successfully – used on an anarchist’s phone after their arrest for a Wet’suwet’en solidarity action. We also know that what a phone is encrypted, police must obtain special permission to use more advanced search technology such as Cellebrite.

Enforcement Technology Group

ETG sells the following tactical and intelligence gear:

• ERT negotiation throw phones
• STARS system
  • Allows police to listen to conversations  through doors and window
• Concealed Communicators
  • Which turn any Bluetooth enabled cell phone into a covert listening device
• Covert Video and Audio recording and monitoring equipment

Grayshift

Similar to Cellebrite, Grayshift is forensic encryption software meant to be used with iPhones.

Intergraph

Intergraph Canada Ltd was founded in 1985. The Company’s line of business includes the wholesale distribution of computers, computer peripheral equipment, and computer software. It was recently purchased by Hexagon, which markets police services systems that streamline dispatching, analyze and map crime and data trends, and geo-locate cellphones.

JSI

JSI are “recognized leaders in designing and developing acquisition, collection and analysis solutions for law enforcement and intelligence communities in more than 25 countries.”

(This is likely predictive policing software)

Real Time Networks

“Manage, track, and locate the things that matter most to your organization. The most powerful way to ensure the safety and security of people, assets, and keys.”

Numbered Companies

Numbered companies should probably always attract our attentions. The following numbered companies were paid by Hamilton Police.

1213247 Ontario Inc

Is located in Ottawa, ON, Canada and is part of the Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores Industry. The Cyclery. Payments go back to at least 2017 – likely police bicycles.

177180 Canada Inc

Registered to Samuel Aebi of 678 WARWICK DRIVE, BAIE DURFÉ QC H9X 2P3 in Canada. Samuel Aebi is also registered to “Traffic Technology 2000” which seems to provide traffic radars and cameras via a 90’s webpage format.

6157866 Canada Inc

The director of said company is Steven Silver, at 3730 The Boulevard, Westmount WC, H3Y 1T4. The company address is 510 Hodge Street, Saint Laurent, WC H4N 2A4.

Corporations with the same director · STEVEN SILVER