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What simply occurred? The NYPD is growing its reliance on cutting-edge know-how to improve the protection of residents throughout emergency situations. The division not too long ago carried out checks of a novel drone-based broadcast system, however consultants and in a single day organizations are already debating its usefulness.
After weeks of persistent rainfall and excessive weather situations in New York City, native police lastly had the chance to put their new emergency broadcasting system to the check. The division introduced the trial on Twitter, revealing the deployment of undisclosed “remote-piloted public messaging capabilities” in Queens.
The NYPD’s new “audio drones” broadcast messages in areas the place harmful weather occasions are anticipated, alerting New Yorkers about the opportunity of flooding and urging them to stay indoors or search shelter.
Weather-related emergencies and different pure disasters have the potential to disrupt vital infrastructure, the NYPD mentioned. Notably, the drones will solely be deployed when there’s a energy or telecom failure.
A NYPD spokesperson didn’t share the outcomes of the drone check, despite the fact that town continues to be experiencing a “remarkable” quantity of rainfalls and potential flooding occasions.
The @NYPDnews will probably be conducting a check of remote-piloted public messaging capabilities immediately, 7/16. The check will probably be carried out on Brookville Boulevard between 149th Avenue and Rockaway Turnpike in Queens.
– NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) July 16, 2023
The NYPD initially averted using the phrase “drone,” as working “talkative” UAVs could possibly be in violation of the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act. The POST Act requires the NYPD to publish affect and use insurance policies for surveillance applied sciences, search public remark, and wait 90 days earlier than deployment.
The NYPD might doubtlessly bypass the stringent necessities of the POST Act by categorizing the brand new know-how as an “enhancement” to units already working below present insurance policies, resembling “Situational Awareness Cameras” and “Unmanned Aircraft Systems.” The police division already possesses a small fleet of remotely-controlled drones (and dystopian robo-dogs), however their means to talk verbally has not been activated.
Policy considerations apart, the plan to utilize drones for broadcasting emergency messages is being met with skepticism. Albert Fox Cahn, the chief director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, expressed doubts, noting that the NYPD would require “thousands” of airborne drones to successfully cowl all the metropolis. The division already has quite a few various strategies to subject warnings, together with emergency push notifications for cellphones. According to Cahn, the drones are an ineffective technique of alerting New Yorkers and primarily serve to create discomfort and unease.
…. to be continued
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