FBI admits to domestic surveillance drone use

[Maedhros]

57. Q: What is it about the word "drones" that turns a mundane story into a panic-inducing one?

A: There is a heightened awareness of drones.

Unlike planes, helicopters and balloons, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) entered the public consciousness purely as offensive military weapons. The evolution of the rules of engagement for UAVs has resulted in very, very questionable tactics: targeting of weddings/funerals, double-taps, signature strikes. These tactics have generated horrific outcomes with regard to civilian casualties and are almost assuredly counter-productive.

The thought of UAVs deployed in a domestic law enforcement capacity naturally leads to thoughts of how domestic rules of engagement will evolve. Right now there are few in operation and they are used exclusively for surveillance. However, arms manufacturers are flocking to the UAV gravy train and multiple contractors are marketing different designs to law enforcement agencies. Most of those designs can be equipped with weapons of varying lethality, from bean bag projectiles to tear gas to machine guns.

Given the rampant militarization of law enforcement agencies over the last few decades, and watching how other new technologies have been abused by law enforcement officers, it is prudent to be wary of how they might use UAVs.