FAA Release New Drone List

[TechMan]

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/02/faa-releases-new-list-drone-authorizations-your-local-law-enforcement-agency-map

EFF used FOIA to get the list. 81 public entities have applied for FAA drone authorizations through 10/12.

The link has a map with the applicants location.

Read more at the linky.

[vaskidmark]

OK, technically I'm not on the list.  But I'm within 2 blocks of the city/county border via the main highway, and maybe 300 yards as the crow flies from a nest of criminal goings-on in the city.

Should I move the lawn chair out into the front yard (unrestricted view) and sit there reading nasty books (Consitution of the United States, The Federalist Papers, stuff like that) in hopes that the RPD drone catches me as it makes its orbiting turn?

There's laws against pointing laser devices at manned aircraft.  Can't find anything about UAVs.  Maybe I should start practicing keeping the green laser on a moving target?  Never can tell when I might have to take a shot at a zombie deer/raccoon quartering away from me.

stay safe.

[kgbsquirrel]

OK, technically I'm not on the list.  But I'm within 2 blocks of the city/county border via the main highway, and maybe 300 yards as the crow flies from a nest of criminal goings-on in the city.

Should I move the lawn chair out into the front yard (unrestricted view) and sit there reading nasty books (Consitution of the United States, The Federalist Papers, stuff like that) in hopes that the RPD drone catches me as it makes its orbiting turn?

There's laws against pointing laser devices at manned aircraft.  Can't find anything about UAVs.  Maybe I should start practicing keeping the green laser on a moving target?  Never can tell when I might have to take a shot at a zombie deer/raccoon quartering away from me.

stay safe.

Hrrmmm...

You know those paintball/airsoft sentry turrets that use simple software and a webcam? Maybe you can rig up a self-aiming laser pointer to illuminate any stray UAV's. 

[brimic]

The map seems fairly pointless to me- the drones have a fairly long range right?

[TechMan]

The map seems fairly pointless to me- the drones have a fairly long range right?

Depends upon how long you want them to be on station.

[Boomhauer]

OMG! Look! Airplanes in the sky! Death from above!!!!! We're all gonna DIE!!!!

[Gewehr98]

OMG! Look! Reconnaissance Airplanes in the sky! Surveillance Death from above!!!!! We're all gonna get labeled as subversives DIE!!!!

As someone who did ISR for the better part of his adult life against non-US countries, I fixed that for you...

[Balog]

It amazes me when folks are so knee jerk pro government that they're happy to see the techniques we use against enemy combatants in foreign theaters used against Americans. Wake the hell up, to the .gov the biggest threat is folks who like guns and the Constitution.

[Boomhauer]

Yes because the fact that I dont piss my pants at the thought of a remotely operated airplane that has some cameras bolted in automatically makes me "kneejerk pro .gov"

[lupinus]

Yes because the fact that I dont piss my pants at the thought of a remotely operated airplane that has some cameras bolted in automatically makes me "kneejerk pro .gov"

Eh. They already have helicopters and have for years.

I figure the only thing a drone can do better is loiter for longer periods of time for less money and/or having to be replaced by another unit. IOW, no new capability. Color me unimpressed.

[Gewehr98]

I lived, ate, and breathed Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance for a very long time. 

I knew why we were doing it, and what the results were used for.

I am also very glad that the Intelligence Oversight Program forbids the CIA and other alphabet soup agencies from spying on U.S. citizens without proper cause and permissions.

http://atsdio.defense.gov/faq.html

Leave it for somebody to try to subvert that rule under the auspices of Homeland Security.   

[Jamisjockey]

Eh. They already have helicopters and have for years.

I figure the only thing a drone can do better is loiter for longer periods of time for less money and/or having to be replaced by another unit. IOW, no new capability. Color me unimpressed.

Don't forget the large number of fixed wing aircraft.
And a helo can deliver a fully armed, dog-killing SWAT team to your rooftop. 

[Balog]

Yes because the fact that I dont piss my pants at the thought of a remotely operated airplane that has some cameras bolted in automatically makes me "kneejerk pro .gov"

You're also second only to CSD in automatically defending cops who murder folks, so yeah... And in your case I think you actually believe it, while I'm fairly certain CSD is just trolling most of the time.

[lupinus]

Don't forget the large number of fixed wing aircraft.
And a helo can deliver a fully armed, dog-killing SWAT team to your rooftop.  

or an improvised firebomb if SWAT is a little tired today.

But its possible that's only a Philadelphia thing.

[Boomhauer]

You're also second only to CSD in automatically defending cops who murder folks, so yeah... And in your case I think you actually believe it, while I'm fairly certain CSD is just trolling most of the time.

Balog, I sincerely hope your chronic case of butthurt that you show symptoms of frequently in your posts clears up sometime in the near future. Must hurt something awful, bless your heart.

[Gewehr98]

Well, now. 

This thread got personal in only one page.

How about that?