Cops Can See Through Your Walls…sort of

Cops can see through your walls

Ranger-R, like other handheld radar units of similar design and type, allows officers and other first responders to “see” through walls and other obstructions.

The device works by detecting movement, even an action as slight as someone breathing. Its capabilities include detecting movement behind walls, floors, concrete, steel, concrete blocks, and more.

The technology is quite similar to a contractor’s stud finder, a handheld device used to locate wall studs (2×4’s, etc.), water pipes, and electrical wiring. When a stud finder locates its target it alerts the user with a bright light and by sounding a tone.

Units used by first responders are far more sensitive and are utilized to determine the locations of hostages, assailants, and injured people. Firefighters also use these devices to locate people trapped inside burning buildings and rubble.

Here’s how the technology works.

Of course, as with all products there is a certain margin of error. For example, I’m not so sure my “stud” finder is working properly today. I set it to “stud scan” and it alerted, but…

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NYPD Detective/WPA instructor Marco Conelli

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WPA instructors ATF Special Agent Rick McMahan and Secret Service Agent Mike Roche