Do You Think Local Law Enforcement Should Be Allowed to Use Aerial Drones for Tasks Like Search and Rescue?

by ABC News U.S. Posted 2013/02/14 21:21:42

Related Topics: Drones, Aerial Drones, Law Enforcement, Search And Rescue

10,531 votes
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	Yes	8,244 votes	78%
	No	2,287 votes	22%

Lawmakers in at least 11 states are looking at plans to restrict the use of drones over their skies amid concerns the unmanned aerial vehicles could be exploited to spy on Americans. The American Civil Liberties Union says state legislators are proposing various restrictions on local authorities' use of the technology.

Concerns mounted after the Federal Aviation Administration began establishing safety standards for civilian drones, which are becoming increasingly affordable and small in size. Some police agencies have said the drones could be used for surveillance of suspects, search and rescue operations, and gathering details on damage caused by natural disasters.

+24

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dlsofsetx 2013/02/15 19:59:54

No

+16
That would not be their primary objective.It's for Orwellian spying.
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Sidonia 2013/02/26 05:24:56

No

NOT only NO but HELL NO!!! But it won't belong before we start hearing in the news about drone strikes here in the good 'ol US of A........ "Well so and so was a "TERRORIST"" move along little sheep move along.....

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13_JunkyardDog 2013/02/23 22:39:44 (edited)

Yes

Yes because such technology could save lives. If there were another natural disaster, for instance a hurricane in the South or a massive Earthquake at the West Coast, I would want as many as these things flying around looking for me as possible.

Also, It'll make it harder for gangs, pimps and drug dealers to operate.

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HAlex1972 2013/02/22 08:14:26

No

No, and I feel this way because that's not only what they'll use drones for. That will be their excuse for using them, but they WILL abuse this resource as they do all other resources. Man, when will everyone stop giving so much authority to police?

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hardtime72 2013/02/20 20:21:05

Yes

still undecided the thing wouldn't give that option as a vote and required a vote for comment. There would need to be specific regulations to avoid abuse and violation of civil rights. also there would need to be oversight by committee with civilian elected citizens on committee. and open records with detailed info on flight patterns and uses for public view.

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Michael 2013/02/20 17:52:43

No

Invasion of privacy! They however, need to use it in places like Camden NJ, Atlantic City, NJ, Compton Ca, parts of Los Angeles, Ca Detroit, MI, parts of Atlanta, GA, parts of Chicago Ill, etc. Those cities are crime filled! In typical safe cities, where little to no crime occurs no!

These people are getting carried away with technology.

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phil.olding.3 2013/02/20 10:01:55

Yes

A drone like the one in the picture? Just fine.

A drone that carries predator missiles and stays in the air all day long? Unacceptable.

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kiote1963 2013/02/20 02:28:39

Yes

The ONLY 2 things I am ok with them using drones for would be Search and Rescue in remote wilderness and after a severe disaster....other wise ANY drones violating the airspace over my property will be neutralized immediately and with extreme prejudice!!!

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Keith Raney 2013/02/20 00:41:51

Yes

Semi-automated drones could save the federal government $. Traditional helicopters and other surveillance machines will be miniaturized and remotely controlled! Maybe the drones will use less fuel / energy as well:) certified pilots will be behind the controls-- we don't want the drones smashing into each other eh?

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Syl 2013/02/19 23:51:05

Yes

That's much better than using them for spying on and attacking people.

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Lerro DeHazel 2013/02/19 21:19:09

No

I want to see Law Enforcement prevail and win-out over crime through crime-solving, arrest-and-prosicuting, etc. I'm all for that. However, we must be cautious about the wide-use of such technology and the possibility of it being so "loosely-thrown-about" that it might be easy (too convenient) for someone to just direct a Drone to fly over some place and drop its ordnance on someone who is totally innocent . . . Or even a Bridge, or a packed Sports Arena, etc. We must be very cautious, indeed.

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NarcolepticGoat 2013/02/19 20:32:55

No

+1
but the fire department might be able to use them for search and rescue without being tempted to misuse them. So could park rangers in large wilderness areas

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SirWence 2013/02/19 19:12:05

No

+1
I can't honestly believe they will use them for only such purposes .. once a power is given upon the government and its subsidiaries .. its very hard to get them to give it back.

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Michael... to SirWence 2013/02/20 00:00:32

If you mean for survaliance i say that is ok if it is in public areas like in a street bu not in your back yard

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Steelshrt 2013/02/19 18:34:12

Yes

As long as it's limited to Search for persons in need of rescue. But, humans being as deceitful as they are, it will be used indiscriminately to enforce every law and control of people.

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chucky 2013/02/19 15:48:24

Yes

Only for those purposes stated.

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Bibliophilic 2013/02/19 15:47:48

Yes

+1
Drones for saving lives instead of extinguishing them--sure.

HAHA could be exploited to spy on Americans? Most likely they already are.

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Doc Holiday 2013/02/19 15:25:54

No

+2
It all sounds really good then the next thing you know they are using them to spy on you and then the next thing you know they are required to fly over every neighborhood 24X7 and then someone on SH will ask " Should Drones be removed from the skys and privacy be resored to the people" and then a SH member mysteriously dies.

HMMMMM sounds like the making for a movie -- or did that happen already?

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Imperial Cultist 2013/02/19 14:58:33

Yes

a lot better than being on foot

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Adakin Valorem 2013/02/19 14:40:05

Yes

Yes, of course they should. Drones are far more economical than having a human flying around in a helo or fixed wing aircraft. So if they are using my tax bucks, I want them to get the most bang for my buck!

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littlebuffalo55TBA 2013/02/19 09:27:58

No

+1
Sounds wonderful until it disables the poor lad with in a Cessna trying to improve so he can get his instrument license. Oooops! "Send UP another drone we hit another one!"

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ResurrectedDeathHag 2013/02/19 06:39:21

No

Who will pay the bills when one or more of those drones and commercial airliners tangle?

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democoach 2013/02/19 06:35:11

No

COWARDS. FASCIST. LILY LIVERS

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Red Branch 2013/02/18 23:32:21

No

+2
We were assured that the full body scans were not to be archived, but destroyed.
Well endowed women's scans were kept for repeated viewing, however, I am sure it was for training purposes only.
We were assured they would be destroyed and this occurred during the trial program.

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Freedom 2013/02/18 21:56:43

No

+2
I say no. The only reason I say no is because they won't stop with search and rescue. If it would be just for that, fine. But they are going to use them to spy and possibly take out targets.

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Patrick Henry 2013/02/18 20:25:55

No

+1
Most agencies can't afford to buy them and train people to use them. So then the National Socialist government would step in and "help." Here's the money you need, oh and we just need you to agree to a few strings in return. Like we may need you to use them to patrol for us, help us identify criminals... See where this is going? The potential for civil rights violations is mind boggling.

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i don't care 2013/02/18 20:10:45

Yes

its 2013 and its time to be in the future - not the past of horse and buggy. who cares if they have cameras focus on the ground - maybe a bad guy is caught robbing a house.

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RubenRi... to i don't... 2013/02/20 00:27:48

you should just stick to being who you are "i don't care" because as long as you talk, you are an idiot. but rights mean nothing to people like you

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i don't... to RubenRi... 2013/02/20 01:36:16

THANKS FOR GIVING ME AN ID 10T badge.

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flowerlady112 2013/02/18 18:02:25

No

+2
They would not use them only for search and rescue. They would also be used to spy on law abiding citizens.

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13_Junk... to flowerl... 2013/02/23 22:44:24

Oh no! Don't look at me while I make hamburgers in the summer time!!!!

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Sabrina 2013/02/18 17:33:23

Yes

As long as we still have the right to a fair and speedy trial in this country, their is nothing wrong with drones.

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dave.bo... to Sabrina 2013/02/19 04:13:05

+3
You have never been involved with our court system have you ? THere is no fair and speedy trial it's a myth.

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RubenRi... to Sabrina 2013/02/20 00:29:06

need your address and I'll have one park in front of your windows filming you as you go through your nightly routines.....

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Spiderguy 2013/02/18 16:23:29

No

+1
Because they show TIME AFTER TIME AGAIN!They misuse power. PERIOD. They cannot be trusted and they lie to achieve misleading goals. What part of history do you people not understand. Only and I mean ONLY if these were used for peaceful purposes such as search and rescue WITHOUT violation of the Constitution of the United States and Every single move directly Supervised by a non bias no affiliate third party. Could this conversation even begin. Are you kidding me! Our President and most Senators LIE every day to you and I.

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Grammar Freak 2013/02/18 15:33:42

No

+1
...For searching what & rescuing what, precisely?

Where's the "undecided" or "it depends" option?
Life is rarely black or white... & answers to this sort of question rarely are either.

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Lt. Fred 2013/02/18 11:18:34

Yes

No spying on people, but I see no problem helping to find people lost in the wilderness.

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hat man 2013/02/18 09:05:48

Yes

But only for search and rescue.

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JonDeniro 2013/02/18 08:01:24

No

+2
Opening Pandora's box.

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MOMMA THOMAS 2013/02/18 06:47:19

Yes

YES...

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avery johnson 2013/02/17 23:39:26

Yes

for the right tasks? of course!

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