The Rise of Vigilante Drones! Neighborhood Watch in the Skies!

The Emergence of Local UAV Drone Patrols: A Silent Response to Rising Lawlessness

A Bit of Personal Background

Some of you who know me know that while I spend my time mostly involved in managing the SCARS (AgainstScams.org ) nonprofit and working for a Miami-based think tank that co-develops fin-tech solutions for the payments industry, I also have a long history in robotics.

I developed my first robotic product while at Atari in the early 1980s, and participated with Androbot in the mid-1980s. In 2014 I co-founded a business known as DroneCyclone? (trademark available if anyone wants to buy it.) I have been active with the Chinese drone makers and have given many keynote speeches at drone conferences in China and elsewhere.

From 2016 through to 2019, I was also actively involved in the launch of a winged underwater drone that holds the world record for highest speed underwater at 10 knots. In fact, I am looking for a home for this technology now, please contact me if anyone is interested.

I have recently provided the government of Ukraine with sound reduction designs for their UAVs.

So in short, I am no stranger to robotic vehicles.

The Emergence of Vigilante Drones

As lawlessness surges across various parts of the United States, a new, technologically driven approach to community safety is quietly taking root: local UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) drone patrols. These drone owners are leveraging their equipment to monitor their neighborhoods, identify wrongdoers, and aid law enforcement in ways that were previously unimaginable. Despite its growing prevalence, this phenomenon remains under-discussed in mainstream discourse.

The Role of UAVs in Neighborhood Safety

With advancements in drone technology, UAVs equipped with high-definition video and audio capabilities are becoming invaluable tools for community surveillance. Local drone owners, motivated by increasing crime rates and a desire to protect their communities, are deploying their devices to spot and monitor criminal activities from a safe distance. These drones provide a bird's-eye view of the neighborhood, capturing detailed footage that can be pivotal in identifying and apprehending offenders.

High-Definition Surveillance and Identification

One of the significant advantages of UAVs is their ability to capture high-definition video and audio. This technology allows drone operators to observe and record criminal activities with exceptional clarity. Drones can follow suspicious individuals or vehicles, documenting their movements and behaviors in real-time. The high-resolution footage can then be used to identify suspects and provide evidence that is admissible in court.

Moreover, modern drones are equipped with features that allow for detailed close-ups, including the ability to descend for clear shots of license plates. They can also see in the dark with infrared and even thermal imaging. This capability is particularly useful for identifying vehicles involved in crimes, providing law enforcement with crucial information to track down suspects.

Enhancing Law Enforcement Capabilities

The integration of drone surveillance into community safety efforts has the potential to significantly enhance local law enforcement capabilities and public safety, though local statutes and regulations have made this illegal in many areas. Police departments, often stretched thin due to limited resources, can benefit immensely from the additional eyes in the sky provided by local drone operators. The detailed footage and information gathered by these drones can help police quickly locate and apprehend suspects, potentially reducing response times and increasing the effectiveness of investigations.

Cost-Effective Surveillance

An added benefit of using drones for neighborhood patrols is their cost-effectiveness. Compared to private security services or increasingly limited police patrols, drones require minimal financial investment. All it takes are a few extra battery changes, and drones can provide hours of continuous surveillance. This makes them a virtually free alternative for communities looking to enhance their safety without incurring substantial costs.

A Growing but Under-Reported Phenomenon

Despite its potential impact, the use of UAVs for neighborhood patrols is not widely reported or discussed. This may be due in part to the legal and ethical concerns surrounding surveillance and privacy. However, the benefits of this technology in combating crime cannot be overlooked. Communities across the nation are increasingly relying on drone patrols to fill the gaps left by traditional policing methods, much of it without the knowledge of local police and residents.

Drones Can Play A Role in Reducing Pedophilia and Even Human Trafficking

Drones can watch local parks for behaviors that can be the key to stopping abuse and abductions of children. They can also observe human trafficking hotspots from truckstops to urban crime zones allowing advocates a new tool to identify individuals for potential rescue.

How Many?

As of the end of 2023, there are 63% of drone registrations in just 2023 (536,183) for recreational purposes, while 37% (316,075) were for commercial operations.

• 8% of Americans own a drone. This is a massively untapped resource for enhancing our collective security.
• The largest segment of drone owners in the US is between 45 and 54 years old, accounting for 22%.
• The next largest demographic of drone owners is people between 35 and 44 years old, owning 20% of drones.
• The third largest demographic of drone owners is between 25 and 34 years old, owning 17% of drones.
• The smallest group of drone owners is those 65 and over, representing only 6% of all drone owners in the US.
• 70.4% of US drone service providers earn less than $50,000 per year.

According to skykam.co.uk

Final Word

The emergence of local UAV drone (vigilante) patrols represents a significant shift in how communities address rising crime rates. By utilizing advanced surveillance technology, drone owners are playing a crucial role in enhancing neighborhood safety and supporting law enforcement efforts. As this practice continues to grow, it is essential to acknowledge its benefits while addressing the legal and ethical considerations that come with increased surveillance. The silent rise of drone patrols may well be a pivotal development in the ongoing struggle to maintain law and order in an increasingly lawless country.

What do you think? Should we openly embrace the use of drones for community safety?

Just saying!

Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth