I was told that many of the boxes in Chicago just have fake cameras and a blue flashing light to let you know you're being "watched". Not sure if it is true or not but you can buy fake security cameras.
You can certainly buy fake cameras. You can also buy real cameras for under $40 and just not hook them up.
Many cities are starting to deploy these municipal surveillance boxes, many with grant funding. So, it's hard to say which are real and which are not anymore.
