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Bonner County OKs $17,288 drone for sheriff after debate over Chinese-made hardware and data security
Summary
The Bonner County Board of Commissioners approved a $17,288 purchase of a thermal-capable drone for the sheriff's office after discussion about funding sources, public safety uses and privacy risks related to foreign manufacturers.
Bonner County commissioners voted to approve a $17,288 purchase of a thermal-capable drone for the sheriff's office, funding the purchase in part with a community fundraiser and sheriff's office accounts.
The drone's primary purpose, Sheriff Darryl Wheeler said, is search and rescue: "The number 1 priority for this is going to be search and rescue." He told the board the sheriff's office lacked a thermal-capable drone when it responded to a fatal search at Schweitzer Mountain and that the new device would help locate missing or endangered people in snow and forested terrain.
Why it matters: Commissioners and members of the public pressed the sheriff about the drone's manufacturer, data security and funding. Commissioner concerns focused on use of Chinese-manufactured equipment and whether law enforcement use of drones could run afoul…
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