FBI: Ala. man engaged in 'firefight' with officers

[csziggy]

11. Probably not - many police forces have purchased drones

Why does a two-bit Alabama town have two spy drones?
The town of Gadsden, Ala., has 100,000 inhabitants and two UAVs. The police chief says he has no idea why, even though they've been there for two years. He claims they've never been used.
Chris Matyszczyk
by Chris Matyszczyk
May 2, 2012 10:51 AM PDT

The newspaper got its first clue when the FAA released a list of agencies it has certified to fly drones and unmanned aerial vehicles following a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. The Gadsden police department apparently turned up on that list.

Chief Crane didn't try to suggest that the drones didn't belong to his department, but, say, to Batman. No, he rushed to reassure the populace that the drones don't carry offensive weaponry. They were merely, you know, spy drones.

In fact they are Wasp Micro Air Vehicles, which merely have a wingspan of 72cm. Or 28.34 inches.

These things can only fly for three-quarters of a mile. Indeed, they are little more than the paper planes you made at school. You can launch them by hand.

More: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57426152-71/why-does-a-two-bit-alabama-town-have-two-spy-drones/

Some little podunk town has two drones - how many larger towns and cities have them and the incentive to actually use them?