Regulate drone research, don’t stop it
Last week, Commonwealth Times contributing writer Craig Zirpolo reported on how VCU student researchers have become involved in UAV technology. The resulting protest group and its members have failed to grasp the core of the article: Drones aren’t exclusive to military use.
Shane Wade
Opinion Editor
If only they’d used a drone.
Not to kill anyone, but to gain some more insight and information about VCU’s drone research. The Facebook group protesting VCU’s research of drone (or, more appropriately, ‘UAV’) technology is off the mark and has misinterpreted the university’s actions.
Last week, Commonwealth Times contributing writer Craig Zirpolo reported on how VCU student researchers have become involved in UAV technology, a relationship that helped launch VCU into a new, lucrative field. But the resulting protest group and its members have failed to grasp the core of the article: Drones aren’t exclusive to military use.
While unmanned aircraft are commonly associated with headlines subtly accusing the federal government of domestically spying on citizens or blaming President Barack Obama or the U.S. military for the death of individuals in foreign countries, the vehicles also have other applications — they can also be used for things like meteorological research, public service and search-and-rescue.
The protest group’s inception coincides with Virginia’s General Assembly passing historic legislation in the form of House Bills 1616 and 2012 and Senate Bill 1331. The bills effectively ban the use of drones by law enforcement and regulatory agencies within the state for the next two years. Virginia is the first state in the country to pass legislation addressing restrictions on drone use.
Charlottesville, Va. also stands out as the first locale to ban the use of drones. The resolution, in addition to prohibiting information obtained from the use of drones from being used in federal or state courts, calls on the national Congress and the Virginia General Assembly to adopt similar legislation.
The legislation now moves on to receive the Governor’s approval. Although he hasn’t offered his position on the issue, we must also be cognizant that Gov. Bob McDonnell has previously said he supports drone use by law enforcement agencies within the state, primarily because of how useful they are in terms of increasing safety and reducing violence.
With bipartisan support from groups ranging from the ACLU to the Tea Party, it’s likely that the legislation will eventually pass, with or without McDonnell’s support.
Although much of this legislation may seem premature because of the lack of drone use, it’s entirely appropriate and logical that governments begin establishing boundaries now, before the use of drones becomes commonplace.
The value of this technology outside of its military use makes it critical that VCU continues its research and support of UAV technology. We must show that technologies can be tools used to create positive change in the world.
The research performed here is cutting-edge, supporting and enhancing a multi-million dollar industry. That knowledge, combined with proactive legislation, enables us to venture forward, as a community, state and nation, without fear of in-system abuse.
The further administrations and governments go to restrict use of UAVs by law enforcement agencies and ensure that even civilian use of UAVs does not invade the privacy of others, the safer we all will be.
The city of Richmond must also take up this cause. Instead of creating social groups to gripe about VCU’s involvement with UAVs, protesters and concerned citizens should lobby the city to ensure UAV usage is limited.
Provisions within House Bill 1616 already ensure that universities limit drone use to academic or research applications. The bill also requires information disclosure. An explicit message from the city, in the form of legislation, however, would harden that sentiment.
It’s not often that entirely symbolic moves have power, but when such opportunity strikes, we must be ready. Drones may not be widely used now, but it’s imperative that we begin to shut down drone use before it even starts.
By preventing law enforcement
agencies and judicial courts from establishing precedent now, we’ll be better able to defend our civil liberties in the future.
