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VA Governor Wants Military Drones For Police

Posted by Soulskill on from the these-are-not-the-drones-you're-looking-for dept.

New submitter Screen404-O writes "During a radio interview, Virginia governor Bob McDonnell suggested that using unmanned drones to assist police would be 'great' and 'the right thing to do.' 'Increased safety and reduced manpower are among the reasons the U.S. military and intelligence community use drones on the battlefield, which is why it should be considered in Virginia, he says. ... McDonnell added Tuesday it will prove important to ensure the state maintains Americans' civil liberties, such as privacy, if it adds drones to its law enforcement arsenal.' Is this the next step toward militarizing our law enforcement agencies? How exactly can they ensure our privacy, when even the Air Force can't?"

7 of 183 comments (clear)

  1. From this Governor by MikeMacK · · Score: 5, Funny

    We can call them the transvaginal ultra drones...

    1. Re:From this Governor by ohnocitizen · · Score: 4, Interesting

      McDonnell added Tuesday it will prove important to ensure the state maintains Americans' civil liberties

      . "Not 'Top of the list' important", McDonnell continued, "but up there with other priorities I share with the VA GOP, like the environment, public education, and a woman's right to choose."

  2. What about What I want? by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I want public Video cameras all over the VA governors mansion and private home.

    He can have the drones as soon as he let's us install tons of cameras all over in his home that allow anyone to watch him.

    If he is against it, what is he hiding?

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    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  3. They just want some shiny new toys by Hentes · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Cameras can do the same job, are much cheaper, don't need supervision and can be set up not to be intrusive. A policeman controlling a drone that's patrolling an area could just as well get on his bike and do the patrol himself.

    1. Re:They just want some shiny new toys by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      As someone who works for a company that builds drones... you are absolutely correct.

      They have a time and a place where they are useful, but there's a time and a place where they're NOT. I could maybe see them being useful along the border, where exists many miles of barren-ass desert (south) or frozen-ass tundra (north) that would be difficult for a human to patrol... but if you want a military-grade weapon walking your beat down the local Main Street, fuck right off.

      If anything, more cops need to be out and about bolstering public image. Walk your beat (or ride a bike), help people and generally don't be a douche. You'll be amazed at what some sweet PR can do for you.

  4. Re:Papers please by Beardo+the+Bearded · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Follow the Iranian lead: jam the GPS, land it in a field, and reprogram "home". They don't "have the manpower" to track you down, do they?

    For years you Americans have been saying that you can't outgun the military because they have gunships and drones. Well fuck man, they're going to just hand over drones to use as you see fit.

    Balance.

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    ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
  5. Northrup Grumman by brunes69 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I am sure this has absolutely nothing to do with the move or Northrop Grumman's corporate HQ to Virgina in 2010, but only after a bunch of "meetings" with McDonnel.

    Nope, not a thing.

    In fact, I am sure Grumman is not going to win any of these contracts.

    http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/apr/26/grumgat26_20100426-184201-ar-156839/