Westport, Connecticut, police announced they will not take part in a program to test a flock of "pandemic drones" programmed to monitor residents' social distancing habits. The drones, made by Draganfly, can also detect coughing and sneezing and take temperatures from 190 feet away.
There were to be used in a pilot program to provide better health monitoring support for potentially high-risk groups, including seniors, as well as gathering crowds at beaches, train stations, parks, and shopping centers.
"After careful consideration and collaboration, the Westport Police Department has chosen not to participate in the Draganfly drone 'Flatten the Curve Pilot Program' after the announcement of it resulted in expression of public concern and reservation," according to NBC Connecticut, Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas said in a statement Thursday.
David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut, issued a statement Wednesday about the program, per report:
"The COVID-19 virus is a grave public health risk, so we shouldn't write off tools that might help mitigate the problem. But we must also recognize that technology is no magic pill in stemming the pandemic. Towns and the state should be wary of self-interested, privacy invading companies using COVID-19 as a chance to market their products and create future business opportunities."
Koskinas said he sees the greater potential for technology but will always be responsive and respectful of the concerns of residents, according to NBC Connecticut.
Lynn C. Allison ✉
Lynn C. Allison, a Newsmax health reporter, is an award-winning medical journalist and author of more than 30 self-help books.
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