draganfly.jpg
Seattle Police will begin testing an unmanned aircraft similar to this one, but insists the drone won't be used to violate any privacy rights. (image courtesy Draganfly Innovations Inc.)

SPD insists drones won't be used for spying

BY Josh Kerns  on April 24, 2012 @ 12:18 pm (Updated: 2:11 pm - 4/24/12 )

The Seattle Police Department insists it won't be using new remote controlled aircraft to spy on people, despite concerns raised by the ACLU.

"The idea that this is going to be used to infringe on people's privacy, that is simply not the case," says Sgt. Sean Whitcomb.

The ACLU raised red flags about the drones after it was reported last week the SPD would be deploying several unmanned aircraft thanks to a grant funded by the Urban Areas Security initiative.

But Whitcomb says the department is working with the FAA and developing "appropriate policies."

Whitcomb says the drones will be used for situations like crime scene photography, missing person searches, and barricaded person scenarios.

"What is consistent here is that these are very static scenarios. You're not going to see the drone going from one end of downtown to the next following a police pursuit," Whitcomb says.

The drones will be limited to 400 feet in altitude and must remain in sight of the operator, much like a remote control toy airplane frequently seen at local parks.

"The idea is that it is very similar to the bomb robot that we have. It's just a remote control device this one happens to be aerial," Whitcomb says.

Whitcomb says the drones will inexpensively help with public safety and improve crime scene investigations. Currently, officers have to rent King County's Guardian One helicopter or even climb ladders or borrow a fire truck in order to get an aerial view.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (42)


  • Add A Comment

  • artimus wrote...
    What could go wrong?
    April 24, 2012 5:20 pm
    God knows the SPD inspires confidence and exudes credibility these days. Get your hard hats while they're in stock...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    crashing in a neighborhood near you
    April 24, 2012 6:11 pm
    I predict these things will have the same luck as the N. Korean missle program. Too many smart people in this area that won't put up with this stuff
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    If you shoot it out of the sky . . . .
    April 24, 2012 6:27 pm
    get it on you tube. Be careful a F 16 will be tracking it. I just might move back to Seattle for all the fun.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    Never said anything about shooting
    April 24, 2012 6:51 pm
    I think that someone may try to jam one. BTW F16's cant track something like this, maybe a growler but I doubt DOD would support the SPD like that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fourstringfuror wrote...
    Think.
    April 24, 2012 7:18 pm
    You guys do understand this is a remote control helicopter, right? You can buy similar models in hobby shops. These are not drones, despite what the brainiacs on mynorthwest.com tell you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    Nothing like looking us in the eye and lying to us.
    April 25, 2012 4:08 am
    And the reason why you cant have one on yourself while on duty, and on all the time while at work. Same ol Same ol you know what. You have earned every bit of the respect you get ???????
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    xcop
    April 25, 2012 6:06 am
    Thats the same the public thinks when L/E wont wear cameras and have them on while on duty. Go ahead and hide behind your union, or ACLU. or what ever, either part of the problem, or part of the solution.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MainEvent wrote...
    Trust!
    April 25, 2012 6:07 am
    Yeah, no one should trust for one sec the SPD has someone skilled or smart enough to operate one of these things. Anyone who has flown a remote plane or helicopter knows its not the easiest thing to do and since the SPD consist of nothing but brain dead meat heads this is a disaster waiting to happen. How much is the first lawsuit going to cost the city when one of these gets out of control and hits someone or damages property?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    Real deep
    April 25, 2012 6:10 am
    Its h-ll standing in the middle of a two way street. You get hit fom both sides. If the heats to much, get out of the kitchen, or is it the paid leave, retirement, high pay, and all the bennies too much.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    @chrisallen
    April 25, 2012 8:29 am
    If you are looking in my back yard, you ARE spying. There are certain rights guaranteed by the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Ever hear of a little something called the Fifth Amendment? Ever hear the term "expectation of privacy"?

    Use this drone...or any means...to look over my fence, and you have violated my civil rights. And that's coming from a guy who's fairly conservative.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }