High-Tech Drones Joining Miami Police Force

[sabra]

http://www.local10.com/news/14708354/detail.html

MIAMI -- The Miami-Dade police department will begin experimenting with high-tech drones as law enforcement tools beginning next year.

Although the military has been using unmanned aircraft systems for years, this will be the first time they are used in law enforcement.

"We are aware it is a great responsibility. The FAA is looking at us to see if we can professionally manage this program," said Lt. Cliff Nelson of the police department's aviation unit.

The flying camera is called a Micro Air Vehicle made by Honeywell. The MAV is remote controlled, unarmed and unmanned and can soar over 10,000 feet.

Miami-Dade police said only licensed pilots with the aviation unit will operate the devices because the airspace in the county is so busy.

[KingOfLostSouls]

1. ...

[RebelOne]

2. Now, if they could get these drones to sniff out all

the drugs and drug dealers, it just might clean up the city.

[JHB]

3. Does this strike anyone else as a security hazard?

On top of the obvious surveillance issues, does anyone else wonder how smart an idea this is just from a security standpoint?

Won't the routine usage of these drones by non-military personnel under non-military conditions wildly increase the opportunities for unauthorized people to analyze the control signals and operating procedures in order to override and seize control of these things?

And what sort of normal signals (intentional or otherwise) could interfere with the authorized commands?