Arlington, Texas hopes to keep aerial drone
The police department of Arlington, Texas is examining ways to fund an unmanned surveillance drone; the drone was originally purchased with grant money from DHS to assist local police officers with security during Super Bowl XLV held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington last February; the drone is still technically owned its unidentified manufacturer and the City Council is debating how to pay for the drone’s operation and maintenance
The police department of Arlington, Texas is examining ways to fund an unmanned surveillance drone.
The drone was originally purchased with grant money from DHS to assist local police officers with security during Super Bowl XLV held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington last February.
In order to operate the drones, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the city a license to fly the vehicles above urban areas, making it one of the largest in the United States to receive such a license.
But the license does not allow the aerial vehicle to be used above populated areas. Instead, the FAA stipulated that the aircraft can only be used for training purposes in unpopulated areas that were away from houses, roads, and waterways.
Lynn Lunsford, a spokesman for the FAA, said, “It’s for training and evaluation, and they’re not allowed to fly over any places where people might be.”
In addition the drone, which resembles a remote controlled helicopter, is still technically owned its unidentified manufacturer.
The drone is currently being stored by the city as the City Council debates how to pay for the drone’s operation and maintenance.
To respect civil liberties and privacy considerations, Tiara Richard, a spokeswoman for the Arlington Police Department, said the drone would not be used to conduct surveillance operations and only be deployed for “mission-specific reasons” like photographing major crime scenes and providing reconnaissance during hostage scenarios or traffic accidents.
City Councilman Robert Rivera was enthusiastic about the drone.
“The idea is provide an extra level of public safety for the city of Arlington,” Rivera said. “Anytime that we can utilize progressive methods to increase our level of public safety, that’s what we’re doing and that’s what we’re looking at.”
Robert Cluck, Arlington’s mayor, is also a firm supporter.
“I fully support using them,” Cluck said. “The police chief thinks they will be a huge advancement in public safety that will allow officers to view the entire city through aerial surveillance.”
El Dorado, Kansas was recently granted permission to conduct limited unmanned flight operations from its airport as part of partnership with Flint Hills Solution, an unmanned aircraft manufacturer. In addition police departments in Houston and Miami also operate unmanned drones in limited instances.
