![]() Once a program is finalized, however, quickly dispatched drones can inform responding officers about hazardous conditions at an incident before they even arrive and enhance situational awareness during public safety missions. “There a lot of eyes on the program in terms of safety, privacy and funding at every point and in every nook and cranny of the journey of trying to get drones-as-first-responder programs stood up,” he said. But the journey to BVLOS certification took more than a year of meetings with FAA and local authorities to conduct drone policy and safety reviews, demonstrating law enforcement’s commitment to responsible drone use, Karr said. The FAA has already authorized the Pearland Police Department in Texas for BVLOS drone flights, said Brandon Karr, a public information officer at the Law Enforcement Drone Association and the department’s former unmanned aerial systems program coordinator. But the FAA is considering expanding BVLOS flights, according to a May request for comment in the Federal Register-a rule change could greatly increase law enforcement agencies’ use of drones for monitoring and surveillance purposes. Unless issued an exemption by the Federal Aviation Administration, drone operators may not fly the devices beyond the user’s visual line of sight, or BVLOS. The report advocates for stricter drone policies for law enforcement agencies, including limitations on the type of and amount of data collected from the devices, standards for program performance audits and transparency requirements such as the publication of drones’ tech capabilities.Īlready, at least 1,100 police departments are leveraging drones for public safety purposes, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Atlas of Surveillance. State and local governments should consider regulations that ensure drones-as-first-responder programs protect the privacy of local residents, said a report released late last month from the group. The warning from the American Civil Liberties Union comes as more police departments look to drones to monitor events, respond to emergencies and conduct routine surveillance. ![]() ![]() Otherwise, state and local leaders run the risk of enabling surveillance that violates residents’ privacy under the guise of public safety. If drones are going to be used to keep an eye on the public, policymakers should keep an even closer eye on regulations governing their use.
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