Police Drones are for Saving Lives and Money, not for Spying on You
by GREGORY D. LEE
December 24, 2011
Despite the obvious advantages unmanned drones bring to local police and sheriff’s departments, the ACLU and other so-called civil-rights advocates worry unnecessarily that the new technology could be used to “pry into citizens’ lives.”
Even before a single incident of law enforcement abuse of the drones is documented, liberal worry-warts are condemning the devices. They scoff at police agencies who use them as “boys and their toys.” What defense attorneys fear is the challenge of coming up with a plausible defense for their clients who are caught by a drone’s video camera of them committing the crime or fleeing from the police.
Police regard the new technology as a more efficient and cost-effective way to search for lost hikers, locate fleeing felons or conduct surveillance on known or suspected criminals. Drones provide a tactical advantage when faced with high-risk situations. Contrary to the ACLU’s notion, police do not conduct surveillance simply because they can. They conduct surveillance to solve or prevent crimes.
A police or sheriff’s department that has a helicopter possesses a highly effective tool in combating crime. Unfortunately, many departments cannot afford helicopters, and some have had to abandon their air-division because of the cost. The use of drones now turns that around because they are almost as effective as manned helicopters and operate at a fraction of the cost. A helicopter costs around $500 per hour to operate compared to a drone’s estimated $30 per hour. In addition, a drone costs less than a helicopter or airplane, although some can run as high as $300,000 a pop. Its price, however, is offset by substantially lower operating costs.
Monterey County, California, where I live, would benefit from a drone. Years ago the sheriff’s department would borrow a helicopter and pilot from nearby Ft. Ord to look for lost hikers, spot marijuana fields or quickly transport deputies to where they were needed. That all went away when the military installation closed due to realignments. Until recently, a helicopter was leased and a civilian pilot was contracted. It proved highly effective in law enforcement operations. But with depleted budgets, the helicopter program was abandoned despite contributions from county residents to keep the helicopter flying. A drone would be a welcome addition to the department.
Monterey County, like many coastal communities, has a beautiful but rugged coastline and vast forested areas where tourists flock year-round. It is not uncommon for one to get lost, or fall off a ridge while taking a photo of the sunset. A drone could locate the distressed party and determine exactly where deputies or highway patrol officers need to respond and determine if fire department assets are required to rescue the hiker.
In addition, drones can locate and identify vehicles driven by criminal suspects. Because of infrared cameras, it can determine if the engine of a vehicle parked in an industrial area at 2 a.m. is warm, and detect the body heat of a burglar hiding in the bushes behind a residence. The drone operator can then alert police units to investigate these suspicious circumstances. But in the minds of many liberals, this would violate the privacy rights of the burglar.
Drones are manpower multipliers. Their use will expand limited police resources and they don’t require government-provided health care, retirement or disability insurance.
Unlike military drones, police versions are not armed and are essentially aerial platforms that enhance public safety and security in the communities they serve.
Family Security Matters Contributing Editor Gregory D. Lee is a retired Supervisory Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the author of three criminal justice textbooks. While on DEA diplomatic assignment in Pakistan, he was involved in the investigation of several notable terrorism events and arrests. He recently retired after more than 39 years of active and reserve service from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Chief Warrant Officer Five Special Agent for the Criminal Investigation Division Command, better known as CID. In 2011 he completed a combat tour of duty in Afghanistan while on special assignment to the Special Operations Command Europe. His articles also appear at North Star Writers Group. Contact him at info@gregorydlee.com.
Family Security Matters Contributing Editor Gregory D. Lee is a retired Supervisory Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the author of three criminal justice textbooks. While on DEA diplomatic assignment in Pakistan, he was involved in the investigation of several notable terrorism events and arrests. He recently retired after more than 39 years of active and reserve service from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Chief Warrant Officer Five Special Agent for the Criminal Investigation Division Command, better known as CID. In 2011 he completed a combat tour of duty in Afghanistan while on special assignment to the Special Operations Command Europe. Visit his website at http://www.gregorydlee.com/ and contact him at info@gregorydlee.com.
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