Drones are handy for surveillance when used by law enforcement officials. It is also a great tool for filmmakers who are trying to get interesting angles from above without having to resort to hiring a helicopter, and also for photographers who are trying to snap some unique-looking photos. However it seems that over in the city of Lucknow in India, drones could be used to help control crowds.
Local authorities have recently purchased five weaponized drones that have the ability to spray pepper into a rioting mob. Each drone is said to cost $9,600 and is capable of carrying a load of 4.4 pounds. This is actually a great investment for the city which has a history of communal clashes, however there are some concerns regarding the pepper spray.
There are some who feel like drones might not necessarily be able to discern their target in a mob. For example a policeman on foot will be able to identify the person causing the trouble and spray him/her directly, whilst a drone floating in the air might not have the same accuracy and might end up spraying an area which in turn could affect innocent bystanders.
However it seems that this is a risk that they will just have to take, especially when you consider that how highly congested the city is.
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