In a move aimed at enhancing public safety and bolstering their crime-fighting capabilities, Chesterton, Indiana has taken an innovative step by adding a cutting-edge drone to their law enforcement arsenal. The introduction of this high-tech aerial device is expected to revolutionize the way local authorities reconstruct motor vehicle accidents in the area. The decision to adopt this technology was spearheaded by the increased number of accidents along State Highway 49 through town, many of those accidents causing serious injury or death. As of August 14, 2023, the drone is part of the Chesterton Police force.
Other towns and cities have implemented drones to be used for accident reconstruction and search and rescue operations in conjunction with Coast Guard. The town of Chesterton intends to use the drone for three main operations, accident reconstruction, structural fires, and search and rescue. Police Commissioner Richardson told the NWI Times, The drone allows us to clear up an accident scene faster and safer. They will also be used to help locate missing persons and assist the fire department in large-scale industrial fires.
Some residents are not as optimistic about the new technology highlighting privacy concerns. However, those concerns have been acknowledged and suppressed with the new standards and rules put in for these drones that Chesterton will follow along with all departments that have drones being used for law enforcement. Drones cannot fly over private property unless a warrant is issued for the property unless the property is in view from a public road or permission is given by the owner for the drone to fly over their property.
The drones have their pros and cons but only time and seeing them used will truly tell their effectiveness and usability in the law enforcement sector of our world. The world will have to wait and see if these drones will actually provide benefit and usefulness to police forces, or whether they will be invasive to people’s property.