US drones helping local police agencies

[Xithras]

33. Local police agencies answer to your local leaders. Your local sheriff is probably elected.

Last edited Tue Dec 13, 2011, 05:26 PM - Edit history (1)

Our political focus too often overlooks these "minor" local races in favor of "more important" state or national races, but issues like this really highlight the importance of keeping a close eye on races closer to home. Local political pressure is usually FAR easier to apply than national pressure, and getting your local county board of supervisors to ban the use of drones is a much simpler task than convincing Congress or the FAA to do the same.

The next time you have a local racedebate come up, attended by your local paper, make a point to seek out a reporter beforehand and mention that civilian drones are now available for police use, and that you intend to ask the candidates about their position on their use. When you get a chance to speak, make it clear that you are concerned about drone flights, and pointedly ask the candidate(s) whether they would support allowing local law enforcement agencies to use drones to monitor your local city/county citizens. Get them on record, and do your best to convince your local media that it's an issue, so that it will be reported.

Most local political races are run on shoestring budgets and shy away from anything that would require any real conflict. You may not be able to convince Congress to stop the deployment of these things, but you MAY be able to convince your local leaders not to use them. Act locally.