Michael Wriston
@mwriston.bsky.social
Social landscape and street portrait photographer based in Baltimore, MD.
Writer of photographic essays.
https://michaelwriston.substack.com
Forever enamored by the liminal, the misunderstood, and the unconventional.
www.michaelwriston.com
Writer of photographic essays.
https://michaelwriston.substack.com
Forever enamored by the liminal, the misunderstood, and the unconventional.
www.michaelwriston.com
In August, ICE HSI reactivated its contract with Paragon Solutions (US) for its GRAPHITE spyware tool.
It can
- Remotely access phone and cloud data without user interaction
- Offload data
- Read encrypted chats (e.g., WhatsApp/Signal)
- Turn on mic/camera for live surveillance
It can
- Remotely access phone and cloud data without user interaction
- Offload data
- Read encrypted chats (e.g., WhatsApp/Signal)
- Turn on mic/camera for live surveillance
Ice obtains access to Israeli-made spyware that can hack phones and encrypted apps
Trump administration contract with Paragon Solutions gives immigration agency access to one of the most powerful stealth cyberweapons
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:43 PM
In August, ICE HSI reactivated its contract with Paragon Solutions (US) for its GRAPHITE spyware tool.
It can
- Remotely access phone and cloud data without user interaction
- Offload data
- Read encrypted chats (e.g., WhatsApp/Signal)
- Turn on mic/camera for live surveillance
It can
- Remotely access phone and cloud data without user interaction
- Offload data
- Read encrypted chats (e.g., WhatsApp/Signal)
- Turn on mic/camera for live surveillance
In central MD alone, ICE is rapidly contracting:
- AI skip tracing
- AI face recognition
- Cell tower spoofing vehicles
- Signal exploitation equipment
- 6 months of MREs for detainees
- Detainee transport vans
- Device cracking & data exploit firms
- AI skip tracing
- AI face recognition
- Cell tower spoofing vehicles
- Signal exploitation equipment
- 6 months of MREs for detainees
- Detainee transport vans
- Device cracking & data exploit firms
I have been actively watching contracts and surge funding over the last few days and what I would say to my friends in Baltimore is “be absolutely ready, right now.”
ICE poised to ramp up raids in Baltimore by Thanksgiving
The Trump administration has rush-ordered infrastructure to conduct raids, abduct residents, and detain people for months.
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:58 AM
In central MD alone, ICE is rapidly contracting:
- AI skip tracing
- AI face recognition
- Cell tower spoofing vehicles
- Signal exploitation equipment
- 6 months of MREs for detainees
- Detainee transport vans
- Device cracking & data exploit firms
- AI skip tracing
- AI face recognition
- Cell tower spoofing vehicles
- Signal exploitation equipment
- 6 months of MREs for detainees
- Detainee transport vans
- Device cracking & data exploit firms
I have been actively watching contracts and surge funding over the last few days and what I would say to my friends in Baltimore is “be absolutely ready, right now.”
ICE poised to ramp up raids in Baltimore by Thanksgiving
The Trump administration has rush-ordered infrastructure to conduct raids, abduct residents, and detain people for months.
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I have been actively watching contracts and surge funding over the last few days and what I would say to my friends in Baltimore is “be absolutely ready, right now.”
Baltimore’s Price Modern LLC bags $83M to furnish new ICE Enforcement and Removal offices nationwide — including one right here in Baltimore.
USAspending.gov
www.usaspending.gov
November 5, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Baltimore’s Price Modern LLC bags $83M to furnish new ICE Enforcement and Removal offices nationwide — including one right here in Baltimore.
Don’t do this to me. Don’t give me hope.
November 5, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Don’t do this to me. Don’t give me hope.
November 4, 2025 at 10:55 PM
“Near me, a boy who can’t be more than—sigh—six or seven years old starts convulsively twisting himself into knots, pulling at his shirt, howling. ‘Six-seven! Six-seven! Six-seven!’”
Rites of Fall
Pulp non-fiction. Plus: Halloween photos by Larry Racciopo
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:34 PM
“Near me, a boy who can’t be more than—sigh—six or seven years old starts convulsively twisting himself into knots, pulling at his shirt, howling. ‘Six-seven! Six-seven! Six-seven!’”
Reposted by Michael Wriston
Remember to change the timestamp in your camera’s settings today.
November 2, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Remember to change the timestamp in your camera’s settings today.
An interesting map of all the contract opportunities for private office space owners to support an unnamed federal law enforcement agency.
Click each icon to read what the government is looking for in each location. Large spaces with private offices, cipher lock entries, and 24/7 access.
Click each icon to read what the government is looking for in each location. Large spaces with private offices, cipher lock entries, and 24/7 access.
Federal Contract Opportunities - Google My Maps
Federal Contract Opportunities
www.google.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:03 AM
An interesting map of all the contract opportunities for private office space owners to support an unnamed federal law enforcement agency.
Click each icon to read what the government is looking for in each location. Large spaces with private offices, cipher lock entries, and 24/7 access.
Click each icon to read what the government is looking for in each location. Large spaces with private offices, cipher lock entries, and 24/7 access.
This is an interesting thread monitoring government contracts for administrative space in Baltimore, and how these match similar contracts in Chicago and Memphis prior to large scale ICE enforcement operations.
I’m reading these bids and see some interesting COMSEC reqs that lend credence.
I’m reading these bids and see some interesting COMSEC reqs that lend credence.
From the baltimore community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the baltimore community
www.reddit.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This is an interesting thread monitoring government contracts for administrative space in Baltimore, and how these match similar contracts in Chicago and Memphis prior to large scale ICE enforcement operations.
I’m reading these bids and see some interesting COMSEC reqs that lend credence.
I’m reading these bids and see some interesting COMSEC reqs that lend credence.
Happy Halloween. Cait took this photo of me next to one of my favorite cars in the neighborhood. My natural state.
Reservoir Hill. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
Reservoir Hill. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
November 1, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Happy Halloween. Cait took this photo of me next to one of my favorite cars in the neighborhood. My natural state.
Reservoir Hill. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
Reservoir Hill. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
“Few things in life are as instantly regrettable as plunging your hands into a cold gourd and sawing away with those cheap little orange tools that bend the second you use them.“
The most sincere pumpkin patch
Linus, eat your heart out
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:15 PM
“Few things in life are as instantly regrettable as plunging your hands into a cold gourd and sawing away with those cheap little orange tools that bend the second you use them.“
A Baltimore cop used their cruiser to chase someone through a field and into traffic. This is insane. Watch the video, then ask the State’s Attorney what’s being done.
www.reddit.com/r/baltimore/...
@baltimorebrew.bsky.social
@baltimorebeat.bsky.social
@thebaltimorebanner.com
www.reddit.com/r/baltimore/...
@baltimorebrew.bsky.social
@baltimorebeat.bsky.social
@thebaltimorebanner.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:09 PM
A Baltimore cop used their cruiser to chase someone through a field and into traffic. This is insane. Watch the video, then ask the State’s Attorney what’s being done.
www.reddit.com/r/baltimore/...
@baltimorebrew.bsky.social
@baltimorebeat.bsky.social
@thebaltimorebanner.com
www.reddit.com/r/baltimore/...
@baltimorebrew.bsky.social
@baltimorebeat.bsky.social
@thebaltimorebanner.com
A few photos from the Great Baltimore Lantern Parade and Dia de los Muertos Festival this past weekend.
Half a charge and full of light
Or, it's the Great Baltimore Lantern Parade and Día de los Muertos Festival, Charlie Brown!
michaelwriston.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:48 PM
A few photos from the Great Baltimore Lantern Parade and Dia de los Muertos Festival this past weekend.
My neighbor was the victim of a hit and run. He rides a scooter to & from work. The city has had it impounded since his accident this summer. They want $260 to release it. If you have a dollar or two to spare so Stephen can get back to his job and life after months in rehab, it would go a long way!
Donate to Help Stephen Reclaim His Scooter and Independence, organized by Kristen Thomas
Help Stephen Get His Scooter Back!
A few months ago, Stephen was … Kristen Thomas needs your support for Help Stephen Reclaim His Scooter and Independence
gofund.me
October 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
My neighbor was the victim of a hit and run. He rides a scooter to & from work. The city has had it impounded since his accident this summer. They want $260 to release it. If you have a dollar or two to spare so Stephen can get back to his job and life after months in rehab, it would go a long way!
“Using data from 2019–2023, it highlights the streets and intersections that account for the majority of Baltimore’s traffic-related injuries and deaths.”
Baltimore City’s new High Injury Network (HIN) map is live! 🚦
This interactive tool shows where serious and fatal crashes happen most often in our city, so we can focus safety improvements where they’re needed most.
This interactive tool shows where serious and fatal crashes happen most often in our city, so we can focus safety improvements where they’re needed most.
October 27, 2025 at 9:27 PM
“Using data from 2019–2023, it highlights the streets and intersections that account for the majority of Baltimore’s traffic-related injuries and deaths.”
"I dislike this delegation of creation. A tool that cannot imagine or feel cannot participate in happenstance. It cannot be startled. It knows nothing of standing in the wrong place at the right time and seeing something strange that shouldn’t exist and yet does."
And still the world dreams!
On happenstance, conceit, and the manufactured image
michaelwriston.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
"I dislike this delegation of creation. A tool that cannot imagine or feel cannot participate in happenstance. It cannot be startled. It knows nothing of standing in the wrong place at the right time and seeing something strange that shouldn’t exist and yet does."
Reposted by Michael Wriston
Green Bank, WV. 2025.
October 24, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Green Bank, WV. 2025.
National Radio Quiet Zone.
Green Bank, WV. 2025.
Green Bank, WV. 2025.
October 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
National Radio Quiet Zone.
Green Bank, WV. 2025.
Green Bank, WV. 2025.
Fountain.
Bolton Hill. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
Bolton Hill. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
October 22, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Fountain.
Bolton Hill. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
Bolton Hill. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
Lyric.
Midtown. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
Midtown. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
October 21, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Lyric.
Midtown. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
Midtown. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
Remington. Baltimore, MD. 2025.
October 20, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Remington. Baltimore, MD. 2025.