UAVs for law enforcement?

[pokerfan]

And the paramilitarization of our nation's police continues. This is not good...

Nov 1st 2011 3:29AM



Ready to supersize your favorite RC helicopter and bullseye some perps with an aerial bean bag launcher? The Sheriff's office in Montgomery County, Texas is, and it's really freaking out the local news. KPRC Local 2 News feverishly asks if the Sheriff's new unmanned Shadowhawk helicopter is a safety asset, or a privacy violation -- we just think it's awesome. Built and sold by Vanguard Defense Industries, this wireless whirlybird comes equipped with a remote video camera, an infrared heat-seeking device and an onboard GPS. It's also capable of carrying weapons, although the Sheriff said that there were no plans to weaponize the UAV. The 50-pound chopper is FAA approved to help track down criminals on the run or assist swat teams in a standoff -- a blessing that should keep this police drone from being grounded. Hit the source link below see KPRC's local coverage, "Big Brother" freakout and all.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/texas-sheriffs-office-receives-weaponizable-drone-alarms-local

[Sherman A1]

1. Hmmm.....

I think a :thumbsdown: on this idea myself....

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. Real life and Half life 2

Where is Dr. Freeman when we need him

[itsrobert]

3. All in good fun until it takes a commercial airliner out

One of these days these things will collide with a passenger jet. Just a matter of time. The more junk in the air, the more chances for mishaps.

[Motown_Johnny]

19. unlikely

airliners fly at a much higher altitude


as long as they are not flying these things on the take off or landing vectors for airliners it shouldn't ever happen

[MadHound]

4. I know a lot of people who will take a look at one of these things and think TARGET

Seriously, the challenge of bringing one of these puppies down without being detected makes for good sport.

[Hotler]

7. +1 n/t

[SwampG8r]

8. actually running through my mind as i read it

wondering where i could post up and keep cover to bring it down
the flir makes cover trickier if it noticed you but i think it would be a lot of fun stalking this down and taking it out
i hope they are expensive

[guitar man]

12. that's what I was thinking

Skeet!! :evilgrin:

[kenny blankenship]

16. If you point so much as a flashlight at them, they will label you a Terrorist

and you will go to some federal PMITA detention center for a long time.

[Poll_Blind]

17. "You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment."

PB

[jberryhill]

5. Pioneered by the EPA...

These RC planes and helicopters have been around for decades.

One of the early cases involving them was their use by the EPA to keep an eye on industrial plants and their emissions.

Of course, I guess if a polluter puts up a fence, most of DU would let them dump whatever toxic crap they want.

[me b zola]

11. Despite recent rumors

Corporations are not people and do not have a right to privacy as people do.

[jberryhill]

13. Oh, okay. Well, I guess someone will have to tell the New York Times Inc.

...to quit claiming First Amendment rights.

[me b zola]

18. Now you know that the press is the only profession mentioned in the constitution

and captains of industry are not :)

[yella_dawg]

6. I know Montgomery county.

I built several gas compressor stations in the area. What this is is a really fancy skeet shooting pigeon.

[maddezmom]

9. I live in Mont. Cty

not all that worried about it besides how much it cost the taxpayers. :shrug:

[Renew Deal]

10. Great. Now criminals will be carrying SAM missiles.

:nuke:

[Warren DeMontague]

14. I'm sure they'll only use them on truly dangerous criminals

like people smoking pot in their back yard, that sort of thing.

[kenny blankenship]

15. Ultimately the 1% will have to take the human factor out of policework and military expansions...

You just can't rely on muscle drawn from the 99% to put down their own kind 100% of the time.

The boot stomping on a human face forever, envisioned by Orwell, will have to be hydraulically activated by remote control, if it is to stomp truly reliably and forever.

[AsahinaKimi]

20. Wasn't some one the other day talking about DOMESTIC DRONES?

Our day has come.. yes?