http://www.alien-ufos.com/start-new-topic-f15.html

MIAMI (Reuters) - 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.

A small pilotless drone manufactured by Honeywell International, capable of hovering and "staring" using electro-optic or infrared sensors, is expected to make its debut soon in the skies over the Florida Everglades.

If use of the drone wins Federal Aviation Administration approval after tests, the Miami-Dade Police Department will start flying the 14-pound (6.3 kg) drone over urban areas with an eye toward full-fledged employment in crime fighting.

"Our intentions are to use it only in tactical situations as an extra set of eyes," said police department spokesman Juan Villalba.

"We intend to use this to benefit us in carrying out our mission," he added, saying the wingless Honeywell aircraft, which fits into a backpack and is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, seems ideally suited for use by SWAT teams in hostage situations or dealing with "barricaded subjects."

Miami-Dade police are not alone, however.

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i don't think it is just to fight crime.i can see where it has applications in the military for obvious reasons,but not in civilian,densly populated areas.its just gonna be another eye for big brother.mind you how many of our technological breakthroughs have had military applications 1st.

That ran thru my mind also Mac, jusdt another ploy to spy.

Shortly we'll have to take into consideration the infrared, in addition to the optical, opacity of the drapes we buy for our windows, as far infrared imaging devices become cheaper and more widely available.

Had'nt even thought of that. That is so wrong for them to do. Can't they hear what you're saying in your homes now? From the street?

They can hear voices inside a house from a distance by bouncing a laser off a window.
It is amazing what they have to invade our privacy these days.

I confess that in the past I have always been advocating that our law enforcement people need the tools to do what they have to do. i have always said it is a crappy job, and we are not in a position to judge what they do and don't need. However..I am not sure about this, on one hand I can see it could save lives, on the other, well, how many Sci Fi's have we seen with hovering drones monitoring peoples actions. It seems to me that there is suddenly a loss of accountability. If a police officer wants to watch you, there is a physical presense, some indication of who and what. But an anonymouse drone? Who else could have one, and we would be none the wiser. One could hover outside your window, you would think, " hell what are the police doing now" but it could be anyones. What next, weopons mounted on them. This is straight out of a Sci Fi as well. I am not sure I like this one at all. And I never thought I would see the day either.