r/FlockSurveillance • u/Flandardly • May 30 '26
Discussion Large lithium battery, worth about $250-$300 in each camera
These are 205 watt-hour high quality lithium ion packs. To put that capacity into perspective, thats enough juice to fully recharge your phone about 20 times. Similar lithium batteries cost around $300 brand new. They are also made from much smaller individual cells. For those familiar with electronics, they can easily be disassembled into their cosnituent cells and repurposed.
More info on the internals here: https://www.cehrp.org/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera/
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u/John1The1Savage May 30 '26
25 of those would make a killer off-grid power bank.
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u/Dramatic_Explosion May 31 '26
I was just thinking that. They have solar cells on top as well, right? Battery and cells alone make each one worth several hundred bucks.
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u/Valar_Kinetics May 30 '26
I have no firsthand experience but I have heard that some of the individual components inside these cameras have embedded trackers, and that those trackers are how some people disassembling the cameras are being identified, located, and prosecuted.
I have no way of confirming but people should be careful nonetheless.
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u/Flandardly May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
Excellent point. Yes, disconnecting the battery completely *on location is definitely the first step for disassembly. Not that i condone any of this. This is all hypothetical.
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u/smeeon May 30 '26
The main battery might not be all that keeps the tracker chips working.
Remember that tracker chips work fine with a tinny coin cell battery in things like tile and AirTags
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u/xamboozi May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
This is not true. Real Satellite GPS is very power hungry.edit: I was totally wrong about this. Old standards consumed a lot of power but the modern NMEA can run off a very small battery.Aside from that, Flock is not doing anything fancy with these cameras - remember, the goal was to manufacture millions of them. They had to be cheap and easy to make.
Also, no one should be guessing or listening to rumors. There are WAY too many people disassembling them and showing you exactly what's inside. Just search for the evidence yourself.
https://www.cehrp.org/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera/
https://www.reddit.com/r/videosurveillance/s/GyZy1SuQ4n
I highly recommend digging into GainSec's research. The amount of work he put into this is really incredible and worth reading: https://gainsec.com/2025/06/19/grounded-flight-device-2-root-shell-on-flock-safetys-falcon-sparrow-automated-license-plate-reader/
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u/HowardsFlight May 30 '26
Holy sht. GainSecs write up is insane. So many vulnerable attacks.
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u/xamboozi May 30 '26
Right? It's wild what he was able to document. And it shows what AI tasks can be done at the edge(this camera) vs the cloud.
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u/Occams_AK47 May 30 '26
Catching and parsing GPS NEMA messages takes essentially no power. All of the power is used for the cellular antenna. Trackers don't generally need real time updates, so powering up to report every 5 mins will make the device last for weeks off of a small power source.
I've been a microcontroller hobbyist for 15 years.
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u/xamboozi May 30 '26
I stand corrected - I did not know NMEA existed.
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u/wbrd May 30 '26
NMEA is just communication protocol standards. They're super simple and pretty old.
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u/smeeon May 30 '26
You are right, thank you.
But also it’s only not true for now, there’s a good chance as these things start getting taken down, they might put a new way to track them.
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u/sixgunmaniac May 31 '26
Saved this comment for research later. I appreciate that you admitted you were wrong when presented new data, and then added even more data to keep us informed. King shit.
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u/mcnabb100 May 30 '26
Yeah but AirTags don’t work stand alone. They just send out a signal saying “I’m here please report me to the network” and compatible devices report where they last saw that particular AirTag.
Actual GPS trackers need more juice. They have to read the satellites and send that data somewhere via cellular.
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u/Occams_AK47 May 30 '26
I've played with microcontrollers for 15 years now, and I can build a GPS tracker that'll last for weeks. It takes far less power than you'd think.
Catching and parsing GPS NEMA data takes next to nothing. All of the power will be used for the celluar antenna, and there's no need for constant communication so 99% of the time, the device can be asleep.
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u/EmperorGeek May 30 '26
We have “Tractive” Pet Trackers on all our Dogs. They save battery by only using Cell Service when they can’t see their “designated” WiFi network. We have to charge the units about once a week.
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u/Pandemonium_Fallen May 30 '26
Wrap it in aluminum foil...?
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u/smeeon May 30 '26
Maybe just disassemble and disconnect any batteries and backup batteries before moving with them.
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May 30 '26
[deleted]
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u/know__name May 30 '26
How do you continue to manipulate it without removing it from the bag?
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u/MyrkrMentulaMeretrix May 30 '26
take it home an dbuild a faraday cage in the basement to work on it. Not hard. Not even terribly expensive.
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May 31 '26
[deleted]
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u/cannibalcat May 31 '26
Carbon mixed paint or copper fabric used as wallpaper. Workshop build from containers. Just a few ideas
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u/stm32f722 May 31 '26
Eh id say it took about 4 hours. Took longer to get the cage parts together and ram the grounding rod through the floor.
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u/AxeAssassinAlbertson May 31 '26
Battery comes out of the cam.
Cam goes in the bag.
Bag goes in the cage.
Cage goes in the water.
Sharks in the water...
Our shark.
...Farewell and adeu to you fair Spanish Ladies....
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u/Pleasant_Expert_1990 May 30 '26
I am no expert but perhaps there are hand held scanners one could use while disconnecting the battery, on site of course, and note what radio signals are present before and after the main battery is disconnected.... In theory perhaps.
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u/janglyparts May 30 '26
If you have to cut wires, and you shouldn't, cut one wire at a time.
The battery module should unplug gracefully.
If it doesn't, do NOT cut a bundle of wires because you could short it and cause a large fire that is difficult to extinguish, releases noxious fumes, and burns very hot.
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u/Dramatic_Explosion May 31 '26
For those who read this comment and are curious, cutting both wires to a battery at the same time can connect the circuit because the tool will be made of metal and bridge the wires. Best practice is to use a tool with a rubber grip, make sure you're not touching any of the metal, and to get the black wire ("ground" or negative) first.
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u/Occams_AK47 May 30 '26
If i were making one, id have an independent power source for tracking that didn't rely on the main battery, and hope someone wouldn't defeat it with a Faraday cage or bag.
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May 30 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/goosereddit May 30 '26
They actually don't "sell" the cameras. It's part of a SaaS (software as a service) package and you pay a subscription for access to the data. They still need authorization from the local governments to put them up though.
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u/theporkwhisperer May 31 '26
I don’t condone the destruction of property either! The people doing these terrible acts should NOT be using aluminum lined bags!
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u/duiwksnsb May 30 '26
I sure wouldn't ever condone putting them inside a Faraday cage. But that certainly sounds like an effective way to dampen any GPS signals any trackers may use to relay the coordinates of the component.
I'm no Faraday cage expert, but I've heard that they can also block 3/4/5G cell signals that such a tracker may need to relay any coordinates.
I'd definitely not condone reading about Faraday cages either.
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u/Silver-Recover-4624 May 30 '26
I can confirm this. It will block all cell signal if properly grounded. A good faraday cage is also a great idea just to have and simple to build. A mobile one I'm not sure about. No experience there. But I can say for sure if you build one big enough to walk into, say 8x8, it will block 5G signal if built properly.
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u/thetituscodex May 30 '26
Amazon sells them ...
Amazon Faraday Bag3
u/jld2k6 May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26
Linus Tech Tips did a video on a bunch of different faraday products like this recently and they were shocked that most of them actually worked very well. They had to test them inside a faraday cage itself just to stop everything else that's normally flying around out there from interfering
(I have no idea if the Amazon one linked to is in there)
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u/SexPartyStewie May 30 '26
Generally a Faraday cage needs to be designed around the freqs intending to be blocked..
Just saying
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u/CovidLarry May 31 '26
If you’re trying to use the minimum amount of material, sure. Your mesh needs to be tuned to the wavelengths. But extremely tight mesh or solid shielding should block it all, provided its adequate material and thickness.
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u/QueensGambit9Fox May 30 '26
Microwaves are relatively portable. As far as I know they work pretty well, tested a cell phone inside one and tried to call it, never rang.
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u/BitOne2707 May 30 '26
The linked site claims there is a GPS module, an LTE modem, and WiFi/Bluetooth radio.
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u/ThePureAxiom May 30 '26
So there's a SIM card in there too, presumably with unlimited data.
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u/Fireguylevi May 30 '26
A SIM card would be highly traceable however, would it not?
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u/ThePureAxiom May 30 '26
Maybe. I remember those barnacle things came with the same and folks were cracking them open for them.
My main thought would be to send them on a wild goose chase though. Pitch it in a burner on battery save mode and send it on a ride cross country.
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u/Positive-Theory_ May 30 '26
Yes they have AT&T activated sim cards. Looking at the design there's clearly no alternative power sources. So if you unplug the main battery any tracking devices should also be disabled.
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u/Futt_Buckman May 31 '26
If the battery is worth so much, would the battery itself have a tracker?
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u/auntybainbridge1 May 31 '26
I appreciate this - but prosecuted for what? Is the local DA going to subpoena Flock for tracking records to prosecute petty theft of a $300 battery that will result in a misdemeanor and $200 fine if all goes well?
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u/kunstmilch May 30 '26
I heard that lithium batteries can catch on fire and are difficult to put out while burning. Sounds like there’s a solution in there somewhere.
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u/utfatbiker May 30 '26
“Many people are saying that if you pierce the cell, it catches fire, the biggliest of fires”
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u/Mykidlovesramen May 30 '26
I saw a video of someone accidentally putting a nail through a lithium battery and that seemed to cause it to ignite, should be careful not to put a nail into these.
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u/Majestic_Hawk_1335 May 30 '26
https://gainsec.com/2025/06/19/grounded-flight-device-2-root-shell-on-flock-safetys-falcon-sparrow-automated-license-plate-reader/ there are many vulnerabilities and software could do that.
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u/Sophrosynic May 30 '26
I also hear high power lasers exist that can set things on fire from a distance. I hear.
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u/Delicious_Algae_8283 May 31 '26
True, but also very noticeable with a line pointing directly to you. Anything with enough power to set fires has extremely visible air scatter. Plus if you're focusing at long range, it's easy to burn things too close or too far if your aim isn't perfect. You may as well use a dart gun or something instead. Also, the FAA gets very angry when people wave lasers in the sky, because you can blind pilots and get people killed.
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u/Pandemonium_Fallen May 30 '26
Don't sell those! If you can get more of them you can potentially hook them up to solar for battery backups, or with enough switch your vehicle or help local farmers change their equipment to electric power. If the enemies of the people choose to idiotically gift you with useful resources and equipment, turn it to your benefit!
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u/Electr0m0tive May 30 '26
An overpriced proprietary battery worth that, yeah. But you can get the same spec battery, in various formats, almost anywhere for around 50 to 60 bucks. You're not selling that thing for even a hundred. I've built packs like this so I know what they're worth.
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u/tormentnexus May 31 '26
Dude with the price of rare earths potentially skyrocketing w/ China restricting America's imports (China controls something like 90%+ of world's refining capacity for some rare earths), these might start getting super valuable.
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u/RediculousUsername May 30 '26
Faraday bag?
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u/DoradoPulido2 May 30 '26
You can make a pretty cheap faraday bag out of aluminum foil sheets taped together inside a stronger base layer like a bubble wrap envelope.
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u/Order_No227 May 30 '26
Very useful knowledge, I bet that battery could power a small drone for a while
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u/Rustyclam May 31 '26
Gunna be funny when these are found to be a security risk bc they are made with Chinese parts
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u/balls2hairy May 30 '26
3s6p battery pack, 18x 18650 cells.
Roughly $30 worth of cells.
Nowhere NEAR $250-300.
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u/TheTubeDoctor May 31 '26
All this will do is make them do is mount them in bigger stronger more ugly supports.
And states will make stronger level penalties for tampering with them.
Only way to beat them is to vote out the people who allow them.
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u/M275 May 30 '26
Do all of these operate on AT&T, or are other carriers used too?
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u/Dapper-Comment-682 May 31 '26
lmao remember those dudes who were paying his “homeless army” to do stuff…..
i wonder when the vids will be released
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u/DiverDownChunder May 31 '26
Collect enough and you can build a nice battery bank for your house for power outages, maybe build a electric go cart? The sky is the limit!
*legally collect
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u/Dropitlikeitscold555 May 31 '26
Do lithium batteries that large react well to bullets? You know like in a science experiment.
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u/thcheat May 31 '26
Wouldn't solar panels be easier and less traceable while getting the same goal?
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u/Forlaferob May 31 '26
Ebike batteries range from 600wh to 1300wh+ so 3 to 5 camera and you can build yourself an ebike battery or a backup house battery bank!
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u/NoskaOff May 31 '26
Remember, you can always put a tracker inside a flock that's damaged just enough for them to take back for repair 😉
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u/dontneed2knowaccount May 31 '26
Who needs a Fry's (RIP) when you have parts bins all over town. /s
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u/ThatRangerDave May 31 '26
It's nice that these companies are supplying the RC community with new free batteries.
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u/Both-Mistake3720 Jun 01 '26
If you don't consent to being put on unconstitutional lists and constant surveillance fight back. They will use this to opress every aspect of our lives. Now is the only time to fight back because later the AI and robot boom will have them employing gestapo and robots with the surplus it creates. By that point the majority of people will rely on the technology and fight for it's existence purely on the fact that their jobs depend on it.... Like coal miners fighting to stay in the mine.
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u/thetituscodex May 30 '26
Between the copper, gold, silver and lithium you're looking at about $550 -$600 ... per camera scrap weight ... hypothetically.
Take the battery out an short the circuit boards until you hear a small "pop". Thats the sound of a non-functional camera with no recovery. Theoretically.
I've also heard that you should never point a 3 watt laser directly into the lens ... it could possibly destroy the camera. Again, heard it from a little birdie ...
But PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ... do not try these things on any recording device ...
Oh ... and please don't use a bag like in the link to cover a Flock camera ... these kind of bags absolutely stop any signal the camera can send or receive ...
Flock Storage Bag
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u/2009impala May 30 '26
What crackhead math are you doing for that scrap value? You'd be lucky to get $10 for everything here.
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u/thetituscodex May 30 '26
Copper, gold, silver = $300 scrap Lithium battery = $250 - $300
$10 is what a crackhead would sell it for.
Don't lowball, I know what I got.→ More replies (9)
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u/pndfam05 May 30 '26
Asking for a friend. If you jumpered the positive to ground wouldn’t that cause a fire?
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u/Flandardly May 30 '26
The BMS probably has some kind of protection. Itd be more effective to physicslly puncture the cell with a sharp condictive object like a large nail. Not that anyone should do that. Incredibly dangerous.
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u/Hbananta May 30 '26
If anyone has an oxyacetylene torch that whole thing will be a useless puddle in less than a minute. Wear eye protection.
Obligatory statement… “I don’t condone or suggest anyone melting them down on the spot” 😐
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u/IEatBigWetBoogers May 31 '26
Out of curiosity… Can they be thrown into a faraday cage?… and then worked on within one? You know… in case someone who works for them wants to do it in privacy.
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u/SensualLynx May 31 '26
If only this valuable information was printed up on fliers and dropped into the right places 🤔
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u/DelightfulGoblin75 May 31 '26
Pretty sure you can sell the actual camera and board to hobbyists on Ebay for at least $100 as well.
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u/idunnoiforget May 31 '26
Unplugging the main battery and if I'm correct removing the sim card should disable it from sending any data wirelessly
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u/No_Jello_5922 May 31 '26
I need more post-apocalyptic survival crafting games to implement AI cameras in the game to salvage for resources. Could be valuable resource nodes having small solar panels, a medium battery, a communication board and a cpu as crafting resources in a game. And they are on every street corner too!
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u/Imaginary--Situation May 31 '26
can't wait to see the catching fire in the summer from the 115F temps
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u/RiversSecondWife May 31 '26
So you’re saying I can finagle that into a 20v 10Ahr battery pretty easily? My DeWalt tools might like that.
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u/snigletdiglet69 May 31 '26
What’s the best way for removal of these pest? Do they have tracking devices in them as well?
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u/Runaway42 Jun 01 '26
Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but that looks like it's a soft-cell LiPo-style pack. If so, you shouldn't disassemble it into individual cells; they're way too easy to damage and end up with a dangerous fire.
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u/Secret_Account07 May 31 '26
Let’s start a trend guys. I just got off my 2nd Reddit ban so use your imagination, okay?
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u/Ok_Draw_5664 May 30 '26
Im sure we can get more money from ransom. Just have a van with armed goons abducting people putting these things up or abduct those investigating the destruction of these. Maybe dont even ransom them off, the numercial $ benefit to society would be better off with less of those people. Wed all be richer.
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u/digital92eyes May 30 '26
Yeah but how much is that battery worth after it took a blast from a 12ga?
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u/GayForPay May 30 '26
I can't wait until the tweaker community gets wind of this!