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Anderson Police Department Tests Drones

DRONE 3 Morguefile

This press release is being generated to maintain transparency and community awareness. Today the Anderson Police Department utilized drone technology to investigate reported illegal camping and trespassing in the Anderson city limits.  The purpose of this information is to help alleviate public misconceptions about the use of such innovative technology. Often the anxieties, fears of government intrusion on privacy, and media perpetuated controversy surrounding such issues transform otherwise legal and well-intended projects into skepticism and mistruths.

A local Anderson resident and remote control aeronautic hobbyist partnered with the Anderson Police Department to make this operation possible. The resident provided his personal video equipped remote controlled aircraft (drone) to fly over public properties and green belt areas where recently reported illegal camping and trespassing violations are occurring.  These illegal camping sites have been reported and identified in several areas about the city. APD spends thousands of dollars annually in overtime for personnel to hike through these areas, locate the camps, and eradicate violators.  The use of the drone technology allows for pre-planned mapping of operations which maximizes the public resources and invested time, which translates into dollars saved to conduct these operations.  Partnerships with local businesses, neighborhoods, and residents like this example are often forged to improve services in the Anderson community.

The deployment of this video equipped drone technology is deployed with specific intent. The drone is NOT aimlessly maneuvered throughout areas and randomly searching for criminal activity. All Constitutional Rights and reasonable expectations of privacy for citizens and property owners are taken into consideration and respected during these operations. APD holds written signed waivers and agreements with several property owners within the city allowing for enforcement and explorations of such. This is yet another example of the community partnerships aimed at overall community improvement.

Illegal campsites often pose a danger for the officers making contact with the occupants. For example, a recent illegal camping violation was conducted by a north coast agency in which over 50 firearms were recovered from various illegal campsites.  These camps are often occupied by wanted felons, violent criminals, and mentally unstable persons. The use of the drone helps identify tactical approaches to the area and in some cases gives an indication as to how many occupants may be utilizing the campsite. The use of the drone will help offset some of the officer safety obstacles in approaching these sites.

Environmental degradation is another detrimental consequence considered in these environment operations. Especially sensitive to the impacts of these camps are the watershed areas and wildlife inhabited marsh areas.  Campsites typically are characterized by strewn garbage, potentially hazardous materials, drug paraphernalia, and stolen property. Illegal campsites also represent a risk for starting brush and wildland fires. Pre-scouting areas by use of the drone helps identify more environmentally sensitive areas that are well hidden and not easily accessible.

Finally, the use of drone technology is still in a trial and error test phase with this department and law enforcement in general.  Other possible uses of the drone may include search and rescue missions, searching rural areas where criminals have fled in an attempt to evade law enforcement, and even possible searches in missing children/persons cases.

Press Release

-from press release

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