Aerial Drones To Help Cops In Miami

Catoonsis writes "Reuters is reporting that '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.' The police force is planning to make use of a small aerial drone, capable of hovering and quick maneuvers, to monitor the Miami-Dade area and alert officers of potential problems. The device, manufactured by Honeywell, is awaiting FAA approval before it can be put into use. This decision is just the latest chapter in the developing relationship between law enforcement and robotic assistants. 'U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been flying drones over the Arizona desert and southwest border with Mexico since 2006 and will soon deploy one in North Dakota to patrol the Canadian border as well. This month, Customs and Border Protection spokesman Juan Munoz Torres said the agency would also begin test flights of a modified version of its large Predator B drones, built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, over the Gulf of Mexico.'"

Comments

Car chases are going to get even better!

[binaryspiral]

I'm going to start tuning into more car chase coverage on the news if those drones are packing a pair of hellfires!

Yes, yes... I'm sure they'll be unarmed, or at least the ones they show you up close.

Re:Car chases are going to get even better!

[cayenne8]

"I hate the idea of this thing buzzing around, and it sure is ugly, but I think it's silly to think they'll throw it in front of light aircraft, which is the only way you'd really hit it... assuming only the police are using the drone. If some media/photography groups get a hold of this, sure it'll become a huge issue as it'll be everywhere and anywhere without warning. More likely it'll be infringing on your personal space rather than aircraft (ie back yard, parks, shopping areas). But given the crowd down in Miami, unless it's bullet-proof, it won't last very long."

Hmm...next item on ThinkGeek.com, personal anti-drone missle.

:-)

Seriously, I wonder how long it will be before they have to pass a special law making it against the law to shoot these things down?

I wonder how long it will be before some enterprising civilians hack into this thing and take over control? I'm sure it will have to be some type of radio controlled thing...should be easy to jam its signal, eh?

Horatio Caine will be pleased

[themushroom]

Because he's only one omnipotent man. *pulling off sunglasses*

Re:Great

[Walt Dismal]

Top 5 reasons to use drones over Miami:

5) Nude sunbathing: encouraged by Miami PD!

4) It's not noisy enough, we need small jets hovering outside the bedroom window at 3AM chasing pot smokers!

3) Proof of concept that Windows Vista, Mobile Edition is totally safe in unmanned drones, except when the DRM turns on!

2) Easier to catch 93-year men soliciting hookers!

and the #1 reason to use robotic drones:

1) Seagulls, eat leaden death!

Re:"Tragedy struck Miami this morning...

[ubrgeek]

Great. Now we've got something else we need to accidently ship to Taiwan ... :)

Could be worse...

[Dareth]

It could be much worse than hellfire missiles. Just hope the drone doesn't use "helicopter batteries"!

Re:Why the Canadian border?

[Anonymous Coward]

Thanks for not holding that whole burning down the Whitehouse thing against us.

Finally, something to shoot at.

[Anonymous Coward]

Drone will look great mounted above my fireplace.