Local2 News investigates a secret aircraft that the Houston Police have recently evaluated. The aircraft is a new compact version of an unmanned drone that can patrol from the air. It’s a device the Police Department wanted to keep under wraps but now that it’s out, Houston Police are being a little vague as to how they will use it.
The drone was recently demonstrated at a secret testing area for the HPD and the Department Of Homland Security with other special guests in Waller County.
This was to be a “no media allowed event” but word got out and Local2 was there to film the whole thing!
The drones are being assessed by the Houston Police Department to see how they can be applied to everyday police work in and around Houston. It is also reported that the Canadian Navy has also been checking out this technology.
The aircraft, equipped with a very powerful camera was used to track Local2 news vehicles around the city. The drones are marketed by a company called Insitu a wholly owned Boeing subsidiary and have been reported to be able to stay airborn for 15-24 hour duty cycles.
After it was learned that the media was there for the “dog and pony show”, HPD quickly put together a press release and scheduled a news confrence. Martha Montaivo, Assistance HPD Cheif, could only state the drones are being considered for potential public safety applications, mobility, evacuations, Homeland Security, search and rescue, as well as tactical. Martha Montaivo also went on to say that they would consider using the drones for, “Covert Police Action” and finished by saying at this point, she is not ruling anything out!
HPD stated it will tackle privacy and illegal search issues later? (After they waste tax payer money on equipment they cant use because it’s unlawful to do so?)
Local2 interviewed Prof. Rocky Rhodes from the South Texas College Of Law, for some comments about the project. Prof. Rhodes stated “one issue is going to be, when law enforcement are using these, when is it considered a search, at which time they would need probable cause or a warrant”
Prof. Rhodes also goes on to say “We see some of these technologies that are being used in the aftermath of 9/11 that we thought were necessary to protect our security during that time are now being used to diminish our privacy in another context and that is extremely worrisome”
Local2 Coverage Of The Launce Of The Spy Drone.
Welcome to the NEW WORLD ORDER. You have no privacy.
For some reason my intensedebate account isn't working, but anyhow, this is most likely step one in a multi-step process by the United States Government to slowly deprive United States citizens of our freedoms. Being able to spy on people like this is in my opinion unconstitutional, even if it may not be unconstitutional, it should still be banned for being an invasion of privacy, and if it is used, it should be announced that the "probe" is airbourne, so people can at least know that they aren't being watched in this manner. Lets all hope that this new device doesn't go national, or even international.