In another move reminiscent of Orwell’s
1984, cities across America are adopting a new form of surveillance. The latest trend involves using unmanned aerial drones equipped with cameras to patrol the cityscape from above. While cameras poking out from every street corner, watching the public incessantly, would be a cause for alarm, the powers-that-be say that the drones are not the same.
So how do they justify these video-armed watchers from the sky? The police reconcile the dilemma by comparing the drones’ video abilities to those of standard citizens who may happen to have a camera and take a picture. Since law allows for anyone to take pictures of anything in public places, the police should have that ability as well. They further go on to explain that the drone recordings are for record purposes only and they will not be ‘on patrol’, but will rather be brought out only when needed.
