Government Program That Gives Surplus Military Equipment to Law Enforcement Agencies(0)

The Payson Police Department, in 2011, anticipated receiving a cell phone jammers from a government program designed to provide surplus military equipment to law enforcement agencies. Instead, they received a smokescreen device from a U.S. Navy ship.

“The ‘Electronic Countermeasures’ were supposed to be cell phone jamming devices. However, what was sent were smoke machines off of a naval ship,” Chief of Police Ronald Tischer said in an email to Arizona Mirror. “So, we are in the process of sending them back. They were never used and have been in storage since 2011.”

The Mirror reached out to the Payson Police Department after analyzing data published by the Defense Logistics Agency about military equipment sent to local law enforcement agencies across the country. The department obtained two items listed as “electronic countermeasures” in 2011 both valued at roughly $4,800.

Company offering cell, drone and other jammers is fined $35 million

The Federal Communications Commission levied a $34.9 million penalty forfeiture order against Chinese electronics manufacturer and online retailer C.T.S. Technology yesterday for distributing signal jamming devices to U.S. consumers, even though it may not be able to collect the full amount.

Termed as "jammers," radio frequency transmitters are purposely utilized to hinder, disrupt, or impede wireless communications, encompassing cell phone calls, GPS systems, Wi-Fi networks, and emergency communications.

After conducting an investigation, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau has recommended a fine of $34,912,500 for C.T.S. Technology. This proposed penalty is a consequence of the company's marketing of 285 jammer models in the United States.

In addition to the FCC's directive for the company to ensure compliance of its marketing with federal law, the company has taken several actions to bring its marketing practices in line with U.S. regulations that prohibit the marketing, sale, and importation of signal jammers. Although the company did not formally respond to the proposed fine, known as a "Notice of Apparent Liability," it has made efforts to rectify the situation.

Due to the lack of evidence provided by C.T.S. Technology to contest the findings of the proposed fine, the Commission's decision yesterday, in the form of a formal forfeiture order, affirmed the full proposed fine against the company.

But collecting that money may be difficult.

The FCC contacted the Chinese government to issue the NAL since C.T.S. did not acknowledge receiving it, in accordance with international law.

Nevertheless, China's designated service affairs agency chose to overlook the agency's request and deemed a forfeiture filing to be appropriate.

Payment from C.T.S. is due within 30 days. The FCC has not specified the consequences of non-payment.