SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Submitted via IRC for takyon
New York City Police Department Commissioner James P. O'Neill suspended the use of some bodycam devices "effective immediately" after one of the city's cameras exploded over the weekend.
The NYPD said it was made "aware of a possible product defect" on Saturday when an officer said his Vievu model LE-5 camera caught fire. The officer removed the device before it exploded, and no injuries were reported.
"Last night, an officer retrieved a body-cam for deployment on a midnight tour and noticed there was smoke exiting from the bottom portal and immediately removed it," the NYPD said in a statement. "After it was safely removed, the device exploded."
Investigators said "the incident revealed a potential for the battery inside the camera to ignite," according to the statement.
[...] "Out of an abundance of caution, the Police Commissioner has directed that the continued use and distribution of the LE-5 model cameras be suspended effective immediately," the statement said. "All officers assigned LE-5 cameras were instructed to immediately remove the cameras and bring them back to their commands."
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/york-police-department-halts-bodycams-explodes/story?id=58658403
(Score: 2, Interesting) by nitehawk214 on Monday October 22 2018, @07:46PM
I suspect that a lowest-bidder bribe-contract-awarded camera is more likely to explode when shot than a grenade.
If they just put out the money to buy proper hardware, this wouldn't even be an issue. The cameras protect both the police and the public when used properly.
"Don't you ever miss the days when you used to be nostalgic?" -Loiosh