These radios are on the FRS (Family Radio Service) band which is between 462.5625 and 467.7125mhz. These are no different than all the radios you find selling in pairs in all your big box stores. They all claim to have a 5-10 mile range.
NO, you cannot hear cops on them
NO, you cannot hear CB channel 19 with the truckers.
YES, anyone can get their hands on these.
YES, any business radio can be programmed to these including all the Chinese radios you find on ebay.
YES, as long as people aren't messing around on them, they are convenient to have to keep in touch in short ranges.