Thursday, February 14, 2013

NYPD plans to use drones


From NBC 4:

Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are filing FAA applications to use drones for surveillance but civil rights groups are concerned about a lack of regulation.

In January, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said he would be interested in using drones for monitoring crowds and large demonstrations. But Kelly’s idea of a drone is not the Predator that most Americans picture. During a sit-down interview at Manhattan’s 92nd Street Y, Kelly reportedly said he would consider using a small drone similar to a remote-controlled airplane equipped with a camera.

Small drones, even tiny ones – the size of hummingbirds – seem to be under consideration by dozens of other police agencies too.

The I-Team reviewed hundreds of pages from FAA drone applications filed by police departments, sheriff’s offices, the FBI, and educational institutions – most of the applicants are researching drones that can be launched right from a person’s hand. This interactive map plots which public and nonprofit entities have so far applied to used drones.

Police and civilian use of drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), was made possible last year when President Barack Obama signed a law opening the skies to UAVs by September 2015.

Several New York lawmakers, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, joined a “drone caucus” supporting the legislation.

13 comments:

Deke DaSilva said...

"Stop and Frisk" was only the beginning!

To all you morons who support that and say stupid things such as: "I've got nothing to hide!", they'll soon be flying drones over YOUR neighborhoods TOO!

In elementary school, they told me that the Soviets, Chinese, and East Germans were the ones with the elaborate police state that spied on it's citizens.

They were the bad guys, and the U.S. was the good guy.
And they said it couldn't happen here..............

Anonymous said...

In America, well into the nineteenth century, public attitudes toward the police were negative, and police forces were kept weak and inefficient because it was felt that they were a threat to freedom. People preferred to see to their own defense and accept a fairly high level of violence in society rather than risk any of their personal liberty.

Not anymore.

Anonymous said...

I wonder what the liability insurance is for a fleet of police operated drones. There's no history of the operational risks for a dense urban population.

Roger said...

In America, well into the nineteenth century, children worked 12 hour days in factories and people ate horse meat. Now the drones are here to make sure we sort our recycling properly. I said huzzah!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely ridiculous. Kelly has been in power WAY too long.

Anonymous said...

This must be stopped!

Anonymous said...

Maybe they can be used by DOB to monitor unscrupulous developers committing illegal acts.

LOL!
I sincerely doubt it.

Anonymous said...

Roger said...
Now the drones are here to make sure we sort our recycling properly. I said huzzah!

I sure hope that is sarcasm. Because there are people out there that actually believe in things like you've said and they scare me to no end.

Suzannah B. Troy artist said...

DOB drone comment I love you -- laughed so hard almost wet my pants!!!!!!

DOB soooooo corrupt and inept.

Anonymous said...

Drones are used for RFID meter reading all over the country.

Anonymous said...

Considering the amount of illegal immigrants, the amount of illegal actions and the dumb left-wing voters, this is inevitable. You voted in NYC like dumbs, so this is what you get.For a dumb city, a harsh policy!

Anonymous said...

No different than helicopters. Just a hell of a lot more cost effective & stealthy. Only a matter of time.

Anonymous said...

Was it a bird, a plane, or a drone that I just shot down with my skeet gun?

It wasn't Superman 'cause we all know he's bulletproof.
LOL!