BALTIMORE — The controversial aerial surveillance planes for Baltimore police started flying Friday, recording movements of everyone in the city during the day.
This is the second life of this program in Baltimore. It first operated in secret in 2016 under then-Commissioner Kevin Davis. Now, it's more public, but the debate remains the same: Is it an invasion of privacy or an effective crime-fighting tool?
You can't really see it, but the privately funded surveillance plane is flying. It's called the Aerial Investigation Research (AIR) Pilot Program, and it's operated by an Ohio-based company and is paid for by a Texas billionaire.
Police Commissioner Michael Harrison told the 11 News I-Team Friday afternoon that he's keeping expectations in check.
"I don't have an expectation, and I am going into this with an open mind and let the data speak for itself. And rather than have an opinion or an expectation, I don't want to get my hopes up or anybody's hopes up. But let's look at this as an experiment," Harrison said.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
why don't we just tear up the bill of rights as an "EXPERIMENT"
ReplyDelete8:18 That's where it's heading.
ReplyDeleteSkynet is in full operation.
ReplyDelete8:36- you're a broken record.
DeleteIf you are not doing anything wrong who cares
ReplyDeleteThat is what the Jewish people thought when they got their star.
Delete8:45 you are a fool. Spying on citizens is unconstitutional. These recorded areas are being transmitted to China.
DeleteHere we go again with these anti American comments, you are a sheeple for sure 8:45. If you want to give up your freedom for some so called safety program, be my guess, but as they say "you deserve neither". You think you are a good citizen, following all the rules, let me tell you something, that is impossible by design. If you are watched long enough you will be getting bills in the mail from the state generated from surveillance cameras that are everywhere, and now airplanes. Maryland has become a police state and you don't care. You are a spineless jellyfish, with no self respect or pride. If our forefathers had your mindset this country would not exist today and you would have no freedom at all, which apparently you're ok with. Check your accomplishments 8:45, take pictures because they will soon be gone.
DeleteRemember Terminator?
ReplyDelete8:45 that's how it begins. It ends with a police state - which we are pretty close to since hillbillies with guns can now storm government buildings with no repercussions.
ReplyDeleteI you have a cell phone, your movements are all ready tracked, and you pay for it, and you AGREED to it when you signed to buy and take the phone.
ReplyDeleteno different than the tag readers across the state that track your every move!
ReplyDeleteI told you this was coming, wait till they get drones in the sky, and wait for them to swat team you for handing a friend Aspirin in public and claim it was a drug deal...
ReplyDelete8:45
ReplyDeleteYou and other morons like you are who is responsible for the slow constant erosion of our constitutional rights.
This has been happening for many years now. They're just getting more blatant about it.
ReplyDeleteBaltimore needs to be cleaned up or closed down. That city is a blight on Maryland. A once great city that has potential to be great again. All the crime ridden hood rats have ruined that city. I'm not just talking about the citizens. From the mayor on down the line of city officials have failed the law abiding people of Baltimore for years now.
ReplyDeleteIt was flying around here for like 3 days, whats the big deal?
ReplyDeleteSo where is here 205?
DeleteNorthwest Woodsman: Should be using Predator drones equipped with Hellfire missiles. Could remove criminals from the streets in a matter of days.
ReplyDeleteMicro - Chipping is coming too !!! 2020
ReplyDeleteThey are looking for Waldo, don't get alarmed.
ReplyDelete