Surprise surprise. Predator drone renamed to fly over San Diego.

submitted by jamesK_3rd from forbes.com

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[–]BravoVictor 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Why do they need drones? Drones don’t stop riots.

Logistics and seeing where the most people and fires are so the limited police resources can be most efficiently directed.

In other words, the same reason police use helicopters. Drones are just cheaper and can stay in the air longer.

[–]aThievingStableboy 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

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[–]BravoVictor 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I’m honestly not sure if a predator drone is cheaper than a police chopper.

It's not even close. Drones, at least the small unarmed ones just meant for surveillance, are massively less expensive than a helicopter both to buy and operate. Plus, you presumably don't need the same amount of training as a helicopter pilot to fly them.

https://www.dw.com/en/a-guide-to-military-drones/a-39441185

LUNA mid-sized drone, $310,000.

https://www.aclu.org/blog/smart-justice/mass-incarceration/we-already-have-police-helicopters-so-whats-big-deal-over

"A police helicopter costs from $500,000 to $3 million to acquire, and $200-$400 an hour to fly."

[–]aThievingStableboy 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

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