Drones are everywhere. My family just returned from a trip to Cancun and we watched as drones soared above the beaches and hotels, presumably taking videos for marketing purposes but likely to maintain security as well. They are used for construction, surveying, mining, energy, agriculture and far more. It comes as no surprise that drones are also being used for policing purposes.
About 1400 police departments throughout our country currently use drones. They are used for search and rescue, gathering evidence, surveillance, traffic monitoring and accident reconstruction, plus far more. New York City beaches are monitored by a drone, and the city itself has a total of 55 in use. San Diego has 47. Troopers with the Illinois State Police have 75 drones. Even our local police departments use drones, with Effingham having the UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) team which they also call the drone team, and they obtained their first two drones in 2022.
Illinois has the Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act (725 ILCS 167) which sets forth certain guidelines as to when our police agencies may use drones. Still, even with that law, the police may be watching but not seen. Their use of drones may feel like an invasion of our privacy, but being mindful that they are out there policing us may also serve as a deterrent that helps to keep us safe.
https://flyguys.com/drone-technology-commercial-uses-applications/
