Spy-in-the-sky drone sets sights on Miami

[underpants]

Source: MSNBC

Police take lead from U.S. military, could be first in U.S. to use aircraft

MIAMI - Miami police could soon be the first in the United States to use cutting-edge, spy-in-the-sky technology to beef up their fight against crime.

A small pilotless drone manufactured by Honeywell International, capable of hovering and “staring” using electro-optic or infrared sensors, is expected to make its debut soon in the skies over the Florida Everglades.

If use of the drone wins Federal Aviation Administration approval after tests, the Miami-Dade Police Department will start flying the 14-pound drone over urban areas with an eye toward full-fledged employment in crime fighting.

Taking their lead from the U.S. military, which has used drones in Iraq and Afghanistan for years, law enforcement agencies across the country have voiced a growing interest in using drones for domestic crime-fighting missions.



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23805369

[kirby]

1. Maybe the 'civilian' verson can...

be outfitted with Tasers in lieu of Hellfire missiles.

[Patsy Stone]

2. And with an eye towards

hot chicks on the beach?

[underpants]

4. Let's see.... cops with a flying camera....near the beach.....

NAH! couldn't be

:sarcasm:

[MadHound]

3. Hmmm, why do I think target practice when I see this article? n/t

[Zhade]

5. Oh, goody. More Big Brother.

NT!

[Selatius]

6. Kind of creepy. Do I get a ticket in the mail if I'm seen driving a few miles over the limit?

How many of these things could be deployed to keep watch over everything like traffic?

[FightTheRight89]

7. Awesome.

Go police!

[TheWatcher]

17. Please tell me you are being sarcastic.

[Duer 157099]

8. Just hope they don't malfunction when they are above you

Ouch. I bet there won't be any liability either.

[Trajan]

9. This will not last ....

The second one to crash (not the first one, of course) will kill the idea for liability reasons ...

My guess

[lonestarnot]

10. Government always exempts itself from any liability.

:shrug:

[LynnTheDem]

11. America; Land of the unFree!

One day in the future there will be another American civil war, to regain all the freedoms current Americans are handing over on platters.

So many died for not a damn fucking thing.

[saigon68]

12. Sadly yes.

I wonder how a 14 pound drone with engine will go through the intake of a General Electric CF6-80C2B engine , without causing the fan blades to shred.

Just a thought. Especially since seagulls also can cause a lot of damage..

I'm sure they have thought of that

[Mika]

13. Ya think it will spot smugglers bringing illegal Cubans seeking Wet Foot/Dry Foot?

NOT!

[Blue_Tires]

14. Crockett wept...

[Judi Lynn]

15. Mini-spy helicopters help US police fight crime

Source: Telegraph

Mini-spy helicopters help US police fight crime
By Tom Leonard in New York
Last Updated: 2:54am GMT 27/03/2008

Police in Miami are expected to become the first force in the United States to use hi-tech pilotless drones to fight crime.

The small spy-in-the-sky contraptions fit into a backpack and are capable of vertical takeoff and landing. Their manufacturer, Honeywell International, has installed technology that allows the 14lb wingless drone to "stare" using electro-optic or infrared sensors.
(snip)

Police in Houston, Texas, have also been given FAA permission to test the drone. Law enforcement agencies across the US have expressed growing interest in using drones, which are already used by the US military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Britain, Merseyside police will be the first force to test its own drone in June. The mini-helicopter will be used mainly to gather evidence that could be used by the force's anti-social behaviour unit.









Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/26/wdrone126.xml

[alfredo]

16. My father used to say

"The tighter the reins, the more the horse wants to gallop."

Humans need to feel they can be themselves. They need to feel they can bend the rules. People need to feel they can have some secrets.