Written by Forget about Flock! Marion area law enforcement has been using high tech spy drones since 2023!
With all the recent discussion about Marion’s use of Flock surveillance cameras, let’s not forget that around the same time that both Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles and Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald were installing 34 cameras throughout the city and county, they also purchased a small fleet of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), otherwise known as aerial drones, which have very scary potential.
As you can see from the attached reimbursable grant application, the purchase of these military grade spy drones was justified largely on the grounds that local law enforcement could use these drones in the event that there was an “overturned train or tractor trailer containing hazardous materials.”
Although that would no doubt be useful in such an incident, how else are these spy drones being used? Is there any independent oversight? Or is it a situation, as with the Flock cameras, where law enforcement provides its own oversight and is accountable to no one?
They’re equipped with night vision and thermal sensors and have the capability of creating 2D floorplans of all structures in real time.
That’s some serious spy tech!
In the city, the only real opponent of these drones back in 2023 was former Marion City Councilman Jason Schaber, who is now running for Marion County Commissioner.
Backed by former Democratic mayor Scott Schertzer, the ordinance to appropriate the funds for their purchase passed council on the 28th of August 2023.