Talk of drone use for Palm Bay picking up
Florida Today reports the mounting excitement in the emergency services community within the USA. They are getting themselves ready for flight, the pressure on the FAA continues.
Perhaps marching off to some Army units to receive some training with their systems might be in order first for Police and Fire operators.
Whats missing from all of the enthusiastic reporting is the fact that its not all quite as easy as the mayors think. There is going to be lots of equipment being bought over and over again because its meeting with silly ends.
The capability of the equipment also looks better on paper then the reality. An organised testing and purchasing plan ought to be created so that the same mistakes are not made over and over again by different towns.
PALM BAY — More than three years after Palm Bay Police Chief William Berger considered using an unmanned aerial vehicle to help fight crime, other law enforcement agencies are pushing the federal government to allow the air patrols.
But after rejecting Palm Bay’s requests in 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration says it may be readying rules for the small, unmanned aircraft — known as drones — as municipal police departments look to expand law enforcement tactics.
“When I hear that it may still take five to 10 years before they’re approved, I’m disappointed,” Berger said.
“This is technology that’s available today. The future is now.”
Palm Bay police proposed using an unmanned aircraft produced by a St. Petersburg company that would fly below 400 feet and would provide a bird’s eye view on everything from traffic to brush fires.
The prototype program ran into a snag, however, when a pilot’s group raised concerns along with FAA officials. Berger, who will soon step down to become U.S. marshal for the Middle District of Florida, said transponders could have been fitted on the aircraft to allay fears of crowding out area skies.
Similar camera-equipped, unmanned aircraft were tested recently by the Miami-Dade Police Department.
“This is about using technology as a tool. As a U.S. marshal, it’s something that could be applicable, especially when we’re seeking fugitives. It’s something that would give any agency a tactical advantage,” Berger said.
The Palm Bay aircraft – which cost about $40,000 and weighed under three pounds – would have been used to fly over Palm Bay’s 100-square-mile jurisdiction.
Today, the agency uses a powered paragliding program, but Berger points out that there are limitations.
“It depends on the wind and climate. The powered paragliders are great devices, but they can also be slow,” Berger said.
Now police departments across the nation are touting the possibilities of using drones. However, the FAA has not approved the use of the aircraft for any police department, confining the unmanned aircraft to use in battlefields like Afghanistan or at border crossings.
“My frustration again is the bureaucracy,” Berger said.
“The FAA is looking at this for the future, but the future is now.”
USA Today contributed to this story. Contact Gallop at 321-409-1422 or jdgallop@floridatoday.com.
