Sheriff to Test Drone for Crimefighting

Sheriff to Test Drone for Crimefighting

By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ
The Associated Press
Monday, June 19, 2006; 3:08 PM

LOS ANGELES -- This could be the shape of things to come in crimefighting.

In the months ahead, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will test an unmanned, remote-controlled surveillance plane.

If deputies want a birds'-eye view of a standoff, they might scramble the unmanned drone instead of a helicopter to get a closer, quieter look. Within minutes, real-time color video would be streamed to a portable computer system manned by an officer 250 feet below.

Officials with the nation's largest sheriff's department said it is believed to be the first field test of drones by local police in a major U.S. urban area.

Much lighter and smaller than the military drones flown over Iraq and Afghanistan, and only a fraction of the cost, the aircraft is not much bigger than a model airplane and will initially be limited to scanning rooftops for break-ins and finding lost children or hikers.

more...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/19/AR2006061900676.html?nav=rss_nation/special



The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle SkySeer, an autonomous drone aircraft used for surveillance and reconnaissance for the military and law enforcement, is demonstrated Friday, June 16, 2006, in Redlands, Calif. In the months ahead, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will test an unmanned, remote-controlled surveillance plane. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Photo Credit: AP Photo

:scared:

and distract the crook. cameras in them would give the controller outside an idea of where to fly once in the house. I wonder why the army doesnt have such yet in iraq,

saving the marines from kicking in doors and taking big risks at that time of getting killed? Is bush just saving money again?

Only if that $$$ spent would help the public. Our treasury is only there for bush* to distrubute to his cronies via private contracts:

January 10, 2006

BLACKWATER USA UNVEILS NEW SUBSIDIARY

Blackwater Airships, LLC Is The Newest Addition To The Firm's Security Portfolio

Moyock, NC - The national security of the United States depends upon innovative and flexible solutions in the global war on terror. Blackwater USA, the world's premier security, peace and stability operations firm recently unveiled its plans to create a new subsidiary; Blackwater Airships.

Blackwater Airship's initial focus will be the development and deployment of small remotely piloted airship vehicles (RPAVs) that can operate from 5,000 - 15,000 feet, move and hover, and stay aloft for up to four days. The airships will be equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and detection equipment that can detect, record, and communicate in real time to friendly forces the movement and activities of terrorists.

http://www.blackwaterusa.com/press/airship.asp

which has yet to solve the basic UAV in national airspace issue. Also not clear which frequencies they are going to use for reliable control link.

Lee Baca at is again...