The Ring doorbell surveillance camera sits squarely in the center of a Tiffany-blue online flyer, which provides details about a "Security Product Subsidy Event" in Arcadia, California.

"Big Sale," the advertisement says, in citrus-colored script. "$100 off."

"HELP STOP CRIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS," the ad continues.

This isn't an ad from Best Buy or an electronics store. It's an ad from the Arcadia city government. The local city government is selling discounted surveillance cameras directly to its residents, and the "discount" is subsidized by the city. In other words, taxpayer money is being paid to Ring, Amazon's home surveillance company, in exchange for hundreds of surveillance cameras.

Cities and towns around the country are paying Ring up to $100,000 to subsidize the purchase of the company's surveillance cameras for private residents. For every dollar committed by a city per these agreements, Ring will match it.