Alright, maybe Albertsons DIDN'T hire Johnny 5, but I bet the theft would go down if they DID have Johnny 5 at all Albertsons locations in Billings...

But, Albertsons DID implement something else... as close to Johnny 5 as we can get in Montana. It's called a "Lot Cop" and made by LVT (Live View Technologies).

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We're Always Watching. Always.

The "Lot Cop" from LVT has quite a sales pitch for would-be businesses, right out the gate stating "We provide remote surveillance for any situation with groundbreaking security that never takes a break!". It has a dystopian feeling, for sure... but what do these units actually do?

Credit: Josh Rath, TSM
Credit: Josh Rath, TSM
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The Lot Cop is a portable "cutting-edge, compact, completely wireless" surveillance system for businesses, allowing for remote access 24/7/365 to business owners. These towering robots can ALSO track thermal signatures. Now that is interesting.

According to LVT, their units have taken over 363 MILLION photos, shared 4.1 MILLION video streams... and have over 4500 "users" (businesses) on the platform.

What About My Privacy!?!!?!!?

What privacy? Honestly. You are in a public place, on land likely owned by the business, to buy things the business owns (groceries, in this case)... you have zero right to privacy. Where do the photos and videos from this thing go? Who knows.

But, if you are one of those who are fearful of this sort of thing... I hate to break it to you, but they'll be popping up more, especially if kids keep stealing beer from Albertsons and racing out the door with it.

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