Call for Gardai to be given drones to help fight crime in Ennis

johnam

An Ennis Councillor has suggested that unmanned drones be flown over Ennis as part of a pilot program aimed at tackling crime. What are your thoughts? I think the Camera system in town has been a great asset, and this would be the next logical step, but is it taking it one step too far?link

Now before anyone starts thinking of bombing raids in Afghanistan, we are talking something similar to this one for birdwatching

Balagan

Unmanned drones. Unbrained Councillors.

Pumpkinseeds

I'm actually embarrassed at the sheer stupiditiy of the suggestion. Some things make me cringe to be Irish, that suggestion is one to add to the list.

Johnboy1951

Oh forget about those wimpy little copter thingies ...... this is what they need ......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fdyUk5bfF8

pilate 1

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I'm actually embarrassed at the sheer stupiditiy of the suggestion. Some things make me cringe to be Irish, that suggestion is one to add to the list.

which councillor came up with this jem?(should have read link)

Make It Happen 968

johnam wrote: »

An Ennis Councillor has suggested that unmanned drones be flown over Ennis as part of a pilot program aimed at tackling crime. What are your thoughts? I think the Camera system in town has been a great asset, and this would be the next logical step, but is it taking it one step too far?link

Now before anyone starts thinking of bombing raids in Afghanistan, we are talking something similar to this one for birdwatching

What about garda actually walking about the town instead?

Gatling

You would be talking about exactly what they use in Afghanistan ,
They would be an amazing tool for the gardai and council's alike ,
Think you have a drone patrolling over your rural town somebody reports suspicious activity at a property or business drone can be sent to the location and maintain surveillance over suspicious people or vehicle's until the Gardai can arrive ,
For councils having to deal with illegal dumping or anti social behavior could use a drone to gather evidence or area's affected ,
Police forces in the UK and the north are trialling surveillance drones as we speak ,
3/4 drones per county would be a huge asset to all ,

taytothief

Gatling wrote: »

You would be talking about exactly what they use in Afghanistan ,
They would be an amazing tool for the gardai and council's alike ,
Think you have a drone patrolling over your rural town somebody reports suspicious activity at a property or business drone can be sent to the location and maintain surveillance over suspicious people or vehicle's until the Gardai can arrive ,
For councils having to deal with illegal dumping or anti social behavior could use a drone to gather evidence or area's affected ,
Police forces in the UK and the north are trialling surveillance drones as we speak ,
3/4 drones per county would be a huge asset to all ,

I can only hope no-one ever takes your opinions seriously.

Gatling

taytothief wrote: »

I can only hope no-one ever takes your opinions seriously.

And why not care to elaborate

Make It Happen 968

Gatling wrote: »

You would be talking about exactly what they use in Afghanistan ,
They would be an amazing tool for the gardai and council's alike ,
Think you have a drone patrolling over your rural town somebody reports suspicious activity at a property or business drone can be sent to the location and maintain surveillance over suspicious people or vehicle's until the Gardai can arrive ,
For councils having to deal with illegal dumping or anti social behavior could use a drone to gather evidence or area's affected ,
Police forces in the UK and the north are trialling surveillance drones as we speak ,
3/4 drones per county would be a huge asset to all ,

The biggest proble for garda in my opinion is the criminal gangs running amok for the last 10 to 15 years especially in dublin. I think this is where resources should be focussed.

Jhcx

I still can't see how such a thing would work. Unless we have something like the minority report the drones would be limited.

If dumping was to take place let's say out the Quinn rd by the time the drones got out there culprit could be gone

Their probably only as good as the cameras that are already located in the town. What u need is the gards out driving the perimeter of the town to be in far better chance to be closer to any incident rather than a station burried in the middle of the town sitting at a desk looking pretty. Even though at doing that they would probably still be as far away from the incident as ever.

So no can't see drones working although give the lad with the idea some wings might make a grand drone.

Make It Happen 968

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I'm actually embarrassed at the sheer stupiditiy of the suggestion. Some things make me cringe to be Irish, that suggestion is one to add to the list.

Actually this is another example of how inept councillers are and how little value they provide, healy rae also had some genius ideas in recent months, if this is the kind of thing they discuss at council meetings, are they even needed at all?

Johnboy1951

Make It Happen 968 wrote: »

Actually this is another example of how inept councillers are and how little value they provide, healy rae also had some genius ideas in recent months, if this is the kind of thing they discuss at council meetings, are they even needed at all?

The sad part is that they (apparently) represent the public's democratic choice of representative .....

.... maybe democracy is overrated .....

pilate 1

Gatling wrote: »

And why not care to elaborate

BIG BROTHER !

aman23

its not drones they need, its the apache (gunship)

Make It Happen 968

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

The sad part is that they (apparently) represent the public's democratic choice of representative .....

.... maybe democracy is overrated .....

It seems in democracy, politics does not attract the best people. The majority of recent leaders seem intent on lining their own pockets and engaging in short termism to keep themselves in power for as long as possible, at the expense of the good of the nation.

Gatling

Jhcx wrote: »

I still can't see how such a thing would work. Unless we have something like the minority report the drones would be limited.

If dumping was to take place let's say out the Quinn rd by the time the drones got out there culprit could be gone

Their probably only as good as the cameras that are already located in the town. What u need is the gards out driving the perimeter of the town to be in far better chance to be closer to any incident rather than a station burried in the middle of the town sitting at a desk looking pretty. Even though at doing that they would probably still be as far away from the incident as ever.

So no can't see drones working although give the lad with the idea some wings might make a grand drone.

A drone can fly and loiter for up to 10+ hours over a broad area using HD imaging and FLIR infrared cameras ,remember its not to replace a guard and a car it would be an assistant to the guards ,
Or again say fly tipping being able use surveillance from a drone that can record vehicle's and or person's near 24 hours ,
The same can apply to fisheries patrols of rivers and lakes or on land being used by game poachers the application's are endless

Gatling

pilate 1 wrote: »

BIG BROTHER !

If you own a smart phone that null and voids your argument

charlemont

Half the crime in Ennis would be over if a certain few cúnts were dealt with properly by the courts..

johnam

Gatling wrote: »

You would be talking about exactly what they use in Afghanistan ,
They would be an amazing tool for the gardai and council's alike ,
Think you have a drone patrolling over your rural town somebody reports suspicious activity at a property or business drone can be sent to the location and maintain surveillance over suspicious people or vehicle's until the Gardai can arrive ,
For councils having to deal with illegal dumping or anti social behavior could use a drone to gather evidence or area's affected ,
Police forces in the UK and the north are trialling surveillance drones as we speak ,
3/4 drones per county would be a huge asset to all ,

Like I said earlier, I believe the cameras they already have in town have been a huge help, however the fact that you can run down a lane and disappear from them is a major disadvantage. (Saying that I have personally followed a thief around town while talking to the gardai on my mobile, and they were able to follow him just as easily as I could, until their car arrived).

The place where I would see these drones being of use is not for illegal dumping, this is the councils problem in my opinion, but in the case of a suspected criminal making a run for it and heading out of the area cover by the cameras. Just imagine how successful the cameras would be if instead of being mounted 20 foot up a pole, they were able to fly around to get a better angle, or follow a suspect. Also in the case where major trouble is occurring in one area, it would be useful to be able to divert cameras away from the quiet areas to provide secondary cover in the trouble spot.

I think drones will be in widespread use at some point, why not be proactive and introduce them in Ennis first?

Stuxnet

these guy's cant even organize a proper paddy's day parade, let alone the idiotic notion that was suggested in the op by that councilor

If people got proper sentencing in this country it'd be a good start to our problems, but unfortunately the scummers get away with murder, pun intended :cool:

zenno

This will not go ahead because of lack of funds. It won't happen any time soon.

CptSternn

The biggest issue of course would be the fact how exactly do they expect to plan flight patterns being directly in the path of Shannon Airport? They don't seem to be taking the fact drones need approved flight patterns and free airspace to operate.

johnam

CptSternn wrote: »

The biggest issue of course would be the fact how exactly do they expect to plan flight patterns being directly in the path of Shannon Airport? They don't seem to be taking the fact drones need approved flight patterns and free airspace to operate.

These drones are not big enough to affect shannon, I also doubt they would be flying high enough. Have a look at youtube for a quadrotor. That is the size of the things. As I said earlier a few of these based strategically around the town would enable the Gardai to follow suspects until a squad car could get to the area to pick the susects up.

pilate 1

johnam wrote: »

These drones are not big enough to affect shannon, I also doubt they would be flying high enough. Have a look at youtube for a quadrotor. That is the size of the things. As I said earlier a few of these based strategically around the town would enable the Gardai to follow suspects until a squad car could get to the area to pick the susects up.

lads this thread is becoming sillier!our force cant keep the cars running due to funding issues let alone sending them out after drones:rolleyes:

Gatling

johnam wrote: »

These drones are not big enough to affect shannon, I also doubt they would be flying high enough. Have a look at youtube for a quadrotor. That is the size of the things. As I said earlier a few of these based strategically around the town would enable the Gardai to follow suspects until a squad car could get to the area to pick the susects up.

The the of drones used for surveillance would be fairly large them Quadrotor's are basic hobby type R/C toys that are controlled from iphones 's and would be useless in then rain and windy conditions ,

zenno

Well this is the air drone plane police in america will probably be using as it can stay in the air for 24 hours...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BptGsIvEOII

Clareboy

Security cameras on the streets of Ennis - great idea! Putting up signs on the approach roads to the town announcing the presence of the cameras - great idea! Thieves will just avoid the town center and target some other area - brilliant!

Shapey Fiend

Think it's a bit much really. Camera phones are one thing but I don't think we all need 24/7 surveillance over our houses quite yet. People have some right to privacy and we shouldn't go eroding those rights when it's not necessary.

Stuxnet

what next...they'll be calling for a monorail !!

Irish_Style

I can picture the drones lined up outside supermacs waiting to collect dinner for the lads! The very notion of using drones as a tool is a clear indication of the level of delusion that is out there. A desperate measure if you ask me. Drone = Flying scrap metal!

Gatling

Irish_Style wrote: »

I can picture the drones lined up outside supermacs waiting to collect dinner for the lads! The very notion of using drones as a tool is a clear indication of the level of delusion that is out there. A desperate measure if you ask me. Drone = Flying scrap metal!

The same thing was said about jet engines and helicopters 60 years ago ,

Welcome to progress

Johnboy1951

Gatling wrote: »

If you own a smart phone that null and voids your argument

No it doesn't ...... you have a choice.

Irish_Style

In that hands of the right people they might be of some benefit, these drones require a lot of experience and skill to fly. The cost of the drones and training people in would be very high. Also the area covered by drones is very limited, criminals would become quickly aware of this and carry on there business out side of these ranges. This has all the potential to become another E-Voting machine affair! The money would be better spent on getting more boots on the ground and new cars as our Gard's are already struggling with what they have.

Dampintheattic

Gatling wrote: »

The same thing was said about jet engines and helicopters 60 years ago ,

Welcome to progress

Jaysuz, one of them would be mighty handy, for herding the cattle morning and evening. Any chance, we could get a grant, to buy a handful of them:cool:

Gatling

Irish_Style wrote: »

In that hands of the right people they might be of some benefit, these drones require a lot of experience and skill to fly. The cost of the drones and training people in would be very high. Also the area covered by drones is very limited, criminals would become quickly aware of this and carry on there business out side of these ranges..

If you can play Xbox or PC game you could easily fly drone most of the systems are actually automated ,

Drones can cover a massive area, a, some use camera's that can cover 10km add infra red abilities they can go more places than a partol car or transit van can and a lot quicker too,
Ideally used along side foot/motor patrols a system that can be operated 24 hrs a day and can loiter for up to 12 hours in an airspace ,they would be a massive assistance to any Garda force

pilate 1

Gatling wrote: »

If you can play Xbox or PC game you could easily fly drone most of the systems are actually automated ,

Drones can cover a massive area, a, some use camera's that can cover 10km add infra red abilities they can go more places than a partol car or transit van can and a lot quicker too,
Ideally used along side foot/motor patrols a system that can be operated 24 hrs a day and can loiter for up to 12 hours in an airspace ,they would be a massive assistance to any Garda force

if they are that easy operate i would assume they are very easy to tamper with(unless they have high end military spec costing mega bucks) the whole idea of drones in ennis to help fight crime is quiet simply pie in the sky:D

dgerryd

Some guys are so blind to the world around them like lambs to the sloughter

dr.fuzzenstein

Drones coming? No problem, check out this website on how to disable/jam them, though it does warn against using an AK47!:D:cool:
http://crab.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/how-to-down-a-drone/

Some suggest just fly a kite, drone gets tangled, down it goes. Not my fault, perfectly entitled to fly a kite and all that.

dgerryd

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Drones coming? No problem, check out this website on how to disable/jam them, though it does warn against using an AK47!:D:cool:
http://crab.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/how-to-down-a-drone/

Some suggest just fly a kite, drone gets tangled, down it goes. Not my fault, perfectly entitled to fly a kite and all that.

LOL BB gun sales could soar great target practice

Jimmy Garlic

The majority of crime is committed by a handful of wasters that are known to gardai. If there wasn't a soft touch court system and there was a concerted effort to take these wasters off the streets then crime in Ennis would drop like a stone. Using drones would be an orwellian invasion of everybodys privacy.

Gatling

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

The majority of crime is committed by a handful of wasters that are known to gardai. If there wasn't a soft touch court system and there was a concerted effort to take these wasters off the streets then crime in Ennis would drop like a stone. Using drones would be an orwellian invasion of everybodys privacy.

Where's the invasion of privacy

dr.fuzzenstein

Gatling wrote: »

Where's the invasion of privacy

They only have themselves to blame when they look at pictures of me sunbathing...
Put it this way, be careful what you do in your own backyard, there's a guy with sweaty palms and his finger on the button watching you.
Since you have nothing to hide, in a few years, when technology has advanced sufficiently, would you consent to your own, personal drone following you around all day? it will be the size of a fly and buzz around your head 24/7. It will record everything you do, say, where you go, what you buy, who you speak to and what you get up to in the bathroom.
Once everyone has one of those, crime will be impossible. Won't that be brilliant? All it takes is complete 24/7 surveillance and the world will be a much better place.
Since you're honest and therefore have nothing to fear, you should have no reason to refuse.

Jimmy Garlic

Gatling wrote: »

Where's the invasion of privacy

The drone hovering overhead surveilling you maybe? Being watched by some eye in the sky would be an invasion of privacy in my book, and quite frankly it would be sinister and oppressing. We have a right to go about our daily business without being spied on.

No doubt if this tech was available 30 years ago surveillance states like East Germany would have been very enthusiastic about using it, to "keep people safe".

CptSternn

johnam wrote: »

These drones are not big enough to affect shannon, I also doubt they would be flying high enough.

Terrifying: The Moment A Drone Narrowly Misses Passenger Plane

http://www.mediaite.com/online/terrifying-the-moment-a-drone-narrowly-misses-passenger-plane-carrying-100-people/

shedweller

Im going to sit on the fence for now, regarding drones. The scope for abuse in the future is huge and im aware of little innocuous steps leading to massive changes for the worse later on. But used right, they are very effective. What would negate them is some crim bribing a drone pilot to look the other way and that is a very real possibility. So we develop fully automated drones....well, i've seen the movies and they didn't end well!

Finally, are drones any different to police helicopters? Apart from cost, obviously.

CptSternn

To respond to some earlier posts, here is a picture of a drone operator and a drone, to give everyone an idea of the size of one of these things.