Excirpt from NYT: They can record video images and produce heat maps. They can be used to track fleeing criminals, stranded hikers — or just as easily, political protesters. And for strapped police departments, they are more affordable than helicopters.
Read article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/16/technology/rise-of-drones-in-us-spurs-efforts-to-limit-uses.html
Comments
They are not used by any European Police force that got very excited about them 5 years ago any more Fire services do use them though.