Oregon law enforcement agencies could soon widen the use of drones and join the ranks of other crime-fighting states to search for fleeing suspects and missing children and to help prevent crimes in progress like bank robberies and shoplifting.
At present, Oregon law enforcement units can only use drones in extreme situations without obtaining the approval of a judge when someone’s life is at risk or a suspect is fleeing the scene of a crime.
Drones Will Be Used to React to 911 Calls
Senate Bill 238 was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, widening Oregon’s crime-fighting net, using drones to react to 911 calls.
Proponents of the bill believe that drones will have a dramatic effect on safeguarding the police during their duties as Oregon joins law enforcement units nationwide that use drones in their everyday activities…