Fidelity using drones to fight crime

[Jan]

Security drones are fighting crime in South African neighbourhoods

South African security company Fidelity recently started using drones to deter and track criminals who attempt to rob homes and property in residential estates.

The drones, which come in both fixed-wing and multi-rotor configurations, have been rolled out in partnership with UDS Group, a certified drone operations company.

 

[airborne]

I thought operating a drone over a residential area was illegal?

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

I thought operating a drone over a residential area was illegal?

So is breaking into my house but the courts disagree.

 

[Gazg]

Hopefully the next upgrade shall be a 20mm cannon on the front......

 

[Gordon_R]

I thought operating a drone over a residential area was illegal?

These are UAVs, not cheap drones:

“All drones are piloted by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved pilots and supported by mobile command centres and our stationary command centre,” he stated.

“Drones need to be licenced, and flight details have to be approved to fly in certain areas.”

Bartmann said they require flexible use of airspace to ensure the safety of other airspace users, which meant flight plans were filed for particular operations.

“The flexible use of airspace is approved by CAA as well as the relevant air traffic service units,” he said.

 

[airborne]

So is breaking into my house but the courts disagree.

I personally would find it hard to accept some random security companies drone perusing my backyard whenever they see fit, all being filmed for posterity.

 

[airborne]

These are UAVs, not cheap drones:

Even so it's an invasion of privacy. It's going to eventually be something like good lord it's the 4th drone over pass of the day.

And those drones will no doubt have sophisticated high res extreme zoom cameras on them so all the minutiae of you and your backyard activities will be recorded and disseminated with who exactly?

 

[nicroets]

I personally would find it hard to accept some random security companies drone perusing my backyard whenever they see fit, all being filmed..

Some people find it hard to adjust to some neighborhoods being closed off with fences, booms and cameras. Security guards asking for info of dubious nature (phone numbers, ID numbers, vehicle licenses)

As a cyclist I'm often greatly inconvenienced because a foot bridge I used for over 20 years was locked. So I have to take a detour of many kilometres on busy roads.

As far as I know the municipality approved none of these measures. Even some of the laws invoked has few supporters in the ANC.

But I know that the few times the municipality took these neighbourhoods to court, they lost. The protection of lives and other rights is more important than the inconvenience.

It's also been proven statistically that a guard just saying hello reduces crime dramatically versus an un guarded entrance

 

[marine1]

You should see the setup Bidvest has. It's not a drone it's a UAV with thermals that the military use. You cannot believe the setup Waal De Waal has. It's insane stuff

 

[K3NS31]

Sigh, it was gonna happen sooner rather than later, but this does raise serious privacy concerns. Doesn't sound legal. At least not the bit where they fly over private homes.

 

[K3NS31]

I don't want cameras flying over my house. I'm sure most other people don't either. I shouldn't need to explain this.
The helicopters usually don't have cameras. (Not too keen on those either - aside from privacy issues they're noisy AF and fly at all hours)

 

[hexagon]

Not sure why they're not aiming at tethered blimps or helikites (aerostats) if they're over fixed areas. They're far more economical to run as well as much less noisy and intrusive. I can understand a drone as a reactive technology, but it's expensive and intrusive to run continuously.

 

[LCBXX]

Upcoming headline:
Leaked Fidelity drone footage shows naked sunbathing & people fscking.

 

[Moosedrool]

If our crime rate wasn't the 3rd highest in the world. Hell in the top 10, I would have apposed this.

 

[KikzAzz]

Even so it's an invasion of privacy. It's going to eventually be something like good lord it's the 4th drone over pass of the day.

And those drones will no doubt have sophisticated high res extreme zoom cameras on them so all the minutiae of you and your backyard activities will be recorded and disseminated with who exactly?

So, my nudes is going to be all over the internet

 

[KikzAzz]

Upcoming headline:
Leaked Fidelity drone footage shows naked sunbathing & people fscking.

Security industry is going to bloom!

 

[Aquila ka Hecate]

Bartmann added that drone operations could only be conducted with the permission of the landowner and/or other designated person able to provide such authority.

I don't understand this bit - do they have to get permission from every home owner before flying over their property?

 

[Milano]

All for it. Criminals are far more invasive. So are satellites.

 

[airborne]

It's perfectly legal if they have permission to fly. Why would it be illegal? Choppers fly over neighbourhoods all the time.
What privacy concerns do you have?

Use your imagination.

Choppers are typically not interested in your neighborhood when they over fly, nor recording in close proximity. These drones will be extremely interested in finding the perp that supposedly jumped a fence 2 houses down and wait... zoom in on Little Mac's house is the perp hiding under that bush, no not there maybe further up.... Oops just saw Mr/Mrs Mac naked getting changed, oh well that's now stored for posterity.

So, my nudes is going to be all over the internet

Yip and your dagga forest, illegal structures, exactly how close you built to the boundary and overstepped the building code on your latest extension.

Your local Karen that's best buds with the Fidelity officer is going to have a great time with all the leaked info.

 

[K3NS31]

How do the cops find perps with choppers?

Mr/Mrs Mac are naked in the yard? Why? Their fault.
Illegal stuff in your yard? Your fault.
Besides, why would fidelity be interested in the city building regs? I think your imagination is a bit fertile lol

Whatever the case may be. My yard, my business. Maybe the lady of the house is in a bikini at her pool and doesn't want the fidelity operators seeing her. Maybe she doesn't want them perving at her 14 year old daughter. Maybe... the possibilities are endless. Point is, you should have privacy in your own property if you so desire.
Anyway, at this point you're probably just trolling. Or you're implausibly stupid. I'm done.