They want to start using it within 7 months. “Potential public safety applications include mobility, evacuations, homeland security, search and rescue, as well as tactical.” -HPD response <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2tHk9Q3Fv6g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2tHk9Q3Fv6g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I love how everything is being chalked up to safety now. We need full body scanner for safety, we need police drones for safety... Know how to start taking away peoples freedoms? Get them all to agree to it in the name of "safety".
Wings of state power like the police will be in a constant contest with our founding principles in order to restrict the rights and liberties of the people. No state organization desires anything more than an increase in their power - the means are unimportant.
Safety is a feeling, not a fact. You may feel safe in your home, however, some determined fool could always kick in the door.
lol, I hate those things... there is one in League city that is on a right turn lane. You know, the lane you are allowed to turn right on when its red... I don't get that one at all..
MONEY GRAB!! MONEY GRAB!! I AM KELVIN CATO . . and I approve of this measure! <all i need is the Motivational posted of CATO grabbin the money!] Rocket River
Just a continuation of using fear in a post tragedy America to talk people into giving up their freedom willingly. These are the sorts of things that people were warning about when the "patriot act" and other government offensives were put into play. How long will Americans take the brunt of the punishment for travesties committed against us in the name of some imaginary safety? cue the "if you have nothing to hide then what's the problem" people. Benjamin Franklin feints.
lol yeah...i think that is probably the main reason why they wanted to keep it secret. i am curious how much they cost too. i saw $30k from some article online. if that's the price then it doesn't seem like a bad investment.
if you fly one down my street and point it's speed racer camera into people's privacy without probable cause or a warrant, then yes... but I don't see that happening with a Helicopter.
Yeah it does, rob. Now obviously, the police are looking for ways to increase patrols without picking up the tab for any more pensions. I happen to think this is a rather stupid way to go about it, but I understand their reasoning. The problem is, these little $30k spy planes (if indeed they do cost that much) also require that giant radar truck, a launch pad, and a bunch of other equipment to run them. Now, I'm not in the market for a giant radar truck, but I imagine one is going to cost you a lot more than an unmanned glider. And when these remote-controlled toys inevitably crash or break down, who's going to fix them? How many repairs would it take to double your investment? My guess is that they won't get repaired after a couple of times. Naturally, that's all just curmudgeonly speculation. If I had to guess, these planes are probably pretty useless for catching "crime on the streets." These kinds of planes are likely fitted with infrared cameras that can spot things like large indoor mar1juana grows and maybe human trafficking warehouses or something if the cops get lucky. You can't really fight burglary and rape with a fly-over.
