Bulldog PI (540) 922-3896

As posted in the AUVSI Linkedin forum

Subject: UAS in Search and Rescue: Let’s change the tide
Message:
As of late Unmanned Aerial Systems (aka ‘Drones’) have fallen under a great deal of scrutiny from both the media and privacy advocate groups. I would like to make what I believe may be a very worthwhile suggestion. Recently I was contacted via email on behalf of the Center for Search and Investigations: “a group of devoted licensed investigators and many dedicated volunteers that donate their time pro bono for the sole purpose to successfully and safely locate missing children.” This organization is apparently seeking private investigators willing to contribute to their efforts in rural Virginia and West Virginia.
As I found this a worthy and intriguing cause, I contacted their CEO , Chuck Foreman. During the course of our conversation, the topic of UAS and their potential benefits for search and rescue efforts came into play.  As a private investigator, I survive (and sometimes thrive) by ‘thinking outside the box.’ PI’s often seek out new approaches to tackle perplexing problems. As of late, the concern of most AUVSI member companies is the public’s perception on just how these technologies will be used. I believe that the donation of resources in a direction such as this would speak VOLUMES to the general public, and help relieve some of the political pressures that have begun to fall upon our blossoming industry. With all due respect, I believe this approach would yield far greater benefits then the recent release of the newly released ‘code of conduct.’ The members of AUVSI need to educate the public as to how ‘drones’ will contribute to the public welfare, and actions speak louder then words.
Consider this an invitation. for open and candid dialogue. Here is a real world need which we could not only help address, but which could really help stem the tides of current criticism, if addressed correctly. I also predict a public relations opportunity beyond measure for a UAS manufacturer willing to contribute towards this aim.
James Pollock

Bulldog Investigations Bulldog Investigations & Security, LLC

While browsing my group selections on Linkedin I came across the discussion of this article:

Senator Floyd Prozanski wants to ban privately owned UAV’s.

I don’t have a lot of tolerance of morons in political office.  Not so not surprisingly, I will now share my reaction to Senator Prozanski’s proposed legislation:

As a private investigator this is something I’m keeping a close eye on.    The ‘drones will invade privacy’ sentiment runs pretty strong among the American public based on everything Ive read, and politicans (looking for re-election) are following suit.

Images obtained by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [UAV] aren’t somehow more revealing simply because no one’s on board.   Unless the thing is flying in your yard, it’s camera aimed stealthly through your bedroom window, the observations and recordings obtained by the ‘drone’ can already be legally obtained  by a manned aircraft.

The primary motivation in using a UAV or ‘drone’ is one of reduced cost, all other factors being equal.  I have no problem with Federal or State legislators deciding that airborne gathering evidence without permission of the land owner below is illegal without a warrant… if those rules apply ACROSS THE BOARD.    What does whether a person is physically present on the aircraft have to do with anything?

The United State Supreme court has ruled (and upheld their initial decision)  that evidence of criminal activity obtained by law enforcement from the air is admissible.  The court’s ruling stated  that images obtained in this matter, or related  eye witness accounts   occurred in “public view” to the passengers/pilot of the aircraft.

So how can legislators/law makers/judges decide that images or video obtained from a UAV are somehow a terrible infringement on personal privacy simply because a person is not aboard the aircraft?  Security cameras record parking lots, city streets, etc constantly without someone physically handling the camera… and as I already stated, aerial photography and evidence gathering from an airborne manned vehicle has already been ruled fair game.

To try to pass laws and regulations that state UAV’s are somehow violating people’s rights to privacy requires some sort of justifiable argument and “because no one is sitting on the aircraft” doesn’t cut it.  Neither does “well, because I just don’t like it.”

James Pollock

Bulldog Investigations

The plot thickens………..

A law enforcement official says the suspect in the Connecticut school shootings is 20-year-old Adam Lanza, the son of a teacher at the school where the shootings occurred. A second law enforcement official says the boy’s mother, Nancy Lanza, is presumed dead.

The first official says Adam Lanza’s older brother, 24-year-old Ryan, of Hoboken, N.J., is being questioned by police. An earlier report from a law enforcement official mistakenly transposed the brothers’ first names.

Initially Bloomberg had a “the show must go on” stance in regards to the New York Marathon.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-bloomberg-new-york-marathon-20121103,0,7954084.story

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2227406/Michael-Bloomberg-Mayor-confronted-angry-New-Yorkers-visit-Rockaways-Queens.html

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/11/01/Bloomberg-Diverts-Needed-Food-and-Generators-Away-From-Desperate-Staten-Island-to-NYC-Marathon

I have no doubt in my mind this was not out of his desire for the big apple’s ‘symbolic victory’ over Hurricane Sandy, but private concerns of possibly loosing corporate backing of his future election campaign.

Apparently the mayor backed off after recieving tremendous (and well deserved criticism) of his misguided decision.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/02/14880084-new-york-marathon-canceled-bloomberg-says?lite

I can’t think of any way to sugar coat my response.

New York City, during this time of crisis you have a horse’s ass at the helm.

Good luck with that.

-BulldogPI

My fellow Americans, learn from Frankenstorm.  It’s time people relearned the lessons that their grandparents, great grandparents, and boy scouts immemorial  already knew: 

BE PREPARED 

Quite frankly if you’re not prepared,  in the end it’s your problem when disaster strikes. Please note  I said when, not if.  For the most part we live in as the Geico Commercial put it, Namby Pamby land.   Consider taking some basic preparations life insurance in it’s most practical form.   We go to the grocery store and assume there will be plenty of food (for those of us who can afford it).  We flick the light switch  and know with absolutely certainty that the lights will turn on.  

Get out of the take it all for granted mentality. 

It could get you killed when things go wrong.

Whether it’s Murphy’s law, my father’s ‘challenge fairy’, or just the occasional OOPS moment, life has a way of surprising us from time to time.  My own perception is that unexpected surprises are on the rise.

Flashlights, batteries, extra food, stored water, and just in case… a means to protect yourself.  These are not terribly expensive items.  If you are relying on FEMA , and local authorities to bail you out when something terrible happens then quite frankly, you’re playing the part of a fool. 

Long term, yes… the flood waters will recede and the damage in NYC will be repaired.   However, I suggest that it’s time for people to focus a bit less on things like the stuporbowl, and a bit more on having some key supplies on hand just in case.

How many former and current  rescue personnel  have come down with all sorts of ailments which appear linked to the World Trade Center disaster in 2001?  Is anyone paying attention to resultingl debate over whether or not the substantial increase in cancers, respiratory illnesses and other problems ,  were caused by inhaling particles of carcinogenic debris?

I’m not saying that you need to go overboard.  I understand why one might question whether  having a 6 month supply of canned and dried food is a wise investment.  On the other hand, there is an awful big difference between two weeks of dried/canned food and 6 months.  How many people out there don’t maintain the  basic necessities on hand to substain themselves and their loved ones for a period of two weeks?

A major storm was coming.  The east coast was warned, and people had time to prepare…. how many residents of NY and NJ are now kicking themselves in the rear for not having filled up their gas tanks before the storm?  How useful would an extra 5 gallons of fuel in the garage have been?

Some things to consider:

Flashlights and batteries 

Battery Powered Camping Lamp 

Some candles ( Only as a backup.  Battery powered lamps should come FIRST…. far safer and easier…. if there’s an emergency there is enough to worry about then having open flames spread out around the house).  Don’t be stupid.

Kitchen Matches, and plenty of them.

A couple good reliable hunting style knives, sharp and sheathed.

(These don’t have to be expensive.  In fact, I happen to have an ’Old Hickory’ butcher knife I put in a shearing sheath which I’ve come to greatly favor.  I’d much rather have that knife, which I can easily sharpen to a sharp edge, then some shiny piece of ’made in Pakistan’  junk.)

A machete or two. (Capable of cutting down a small tree, branches, brush,  and other possibilities)

A stout walking stick (such as the Cold Steel Walkabout, or a thick piece of waxwood)

What’s waxwood?  Use the power of google searching and look it up.

A couple of small, battery powered transistor radios, capable of AM and FM reception

Warm clothes, some bandages, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, etc… I shouldn’t have to come up with your entire shopping list here, these are not expensive items and my goal is to help change  mindsets, not think for you. 

Your well being is your responsibility.  It’s time to ask yourself:  ”In a time of crisis what things would I need?”

Basic coleman propane stove, and around 6 small tanks of propane

A basic propane torch ignitor which uses a flint (ability to light propane without matches) 

In addition to these items, I would suggest a pump action 20 gauge or 12 gauge shotgun, with enough birdshot and buckshot to protect yourself if absolutely necessary.  Firearms have become a very touchy subject, one that I will not debate here.  I will say that if you’re goal is home defense and strickly home defense, forget the 30 round 9 mm Glock crap so sensationalized by hollywood.  I’ll take the New England Firearms Pardner Protector in 12 gauge thank you very much.  

Why?  Because if things get bad enough you don’t have to go looking for trouble.  Sometimes, in rough times, trouble comes looking for you….

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/klyn_bat_man_run_looters_VxfnY8FAH2MYZZ9GrKM6eJ

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/desperate_dash_for_free_fuel_l2MbJN8dRsSTYQW0lnsf0I

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/when_are_we_gonna_get_some_ing_help_T35TrXo1FCdu7YRBmQkQ8L

“They’re looting cars all over the place,” Morgan said. “This is New York City. They have to help us.”

Some Rockaways residents who work as firefighters in The Bronx and Manhattan were fuming yesterday — sitting idly in their firehouses while their neighbors and family members miles away struggled to get help.

“We’re all going crazy,” said one firefighter, who asked his name not be used for fear of retribution. “They’re not deploying any extra resources, and we’re just sitting around.”

 At the risk of being a bit harsh, it’s time to call things like I seem them.  Some people might call it all part of the

‘Bulldog experience.’

Well morons, your first mistake was putting all kinds of trust in  Bloomberg to take care of you in the first place.  Oh yeah, I guess you should forget about the shotgun suggestion.  Not necessary.  After all, the mayor has things well in hand.

NOT

-BulldogPI