Senate Bill Will Give Oregon Law Enforcement Agencies More Leniency to Use Drones in Emergency Crime-Fighting Situations
Oregon law enforcement agencies could soon widen the use of drones and join the ranks of other crime-fighting states to search for fleeing suspects and missing children and to help prevent crimes in progress like bank robberies and shoplifting.
At present, Oregon law enforcement units can only use drones in extreme situations without obtaining the approval of a judge when someone’s life is at risk or a suspect is fleeing the scene of a crime.
Drones Will Be Used to React to 911 Calls
Senate Bill 238 was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, widening Oregon’s crime-fighting net, using drones to react to 911 calls.
Proponents of the bill believe that drones will have a dramatic effect on safeguarding the police during their duties as Oregon joins law enforcement units nationwide that use drones in their everyday activities.
However, opponents fear it will give the police the power to invade personal privacy.
Bill Provides a Blank Check for Law Enforcement Agencies
The ACLU of Oregon – a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization defending and advancing civil liberties and rights – believes the bill will provide a ‘blank check’ for law enforcement agencies to introduce an era of aerial surveillance that will severely affect public speech and gatherings.
According to a 2023 ACLU report, drones were already in use by at least 1,400 police departments nationwide.
The chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Floyd Prozanski, said an amendment prohibits the police from using drones to collect information about suspected criminals or for traffic enforcement.
Drones are Valuable Policing Tools
The Senate Judiciary Committee considered testimony by several law enforcement officers before passing the bill. Their testimony reinforced the fact that drones are valuable policing tools that lead to more arrests while safeguarding the public from possible harm.
A law enforcement technology company, Axon, says drones can be equipped with thermal imaging cameras for nighttime detection. Loudspeakers can also be installed on drones when the police need to communicate with people in the area of a crime-fighting operation.
Central Park in New York City was cited as an example of the efficacy of drones in policing criminal activities in the 843 acres of parkland. Drones can quickly scan the area for suspects and assist police in emergencies.