Killer drones

According to the lead story of yesterday’s Newsday, police officers of the Central Division have the strong belief that members of a gang that operates in the area have used a drone to conduct surveillance on police operations and to track officers’ whereabouts.

It is further believed that a drone was used to pinpoint the whereabouts of a target who was later murdered in a bold attack on mourners at a funeral. These reports must be inquired into forthwith.

If they are true they suggest a new and dangerous threat to civilian life, to privacy, and to the security of our air-space.

While the Civil Aviation Authority last year published new rules to regulate the use of drones, it must be considered whether further action needs to be taken now. It has been suggested that officers are desirous of powers to shoot down such unmanned vehicles. Such a move must be carefully weighed given the potential threat to civilian life posed by having virtual war games going on over our heads.

It must also be remembered that drones – as well as things like laser lights – have in the past raised concerns over possible interference with aircraft. Use of these items for nefarious purposes has always been a risk, and if we are to believe the reports, it would appear that the criminal elements are not afraid to deploy these devices for their ends.

Meanwhile, we once more observe the ironic situation that while gang activity is illegal, it would appear that the gang tied to recent reports of attacks at Enterprise is well-known to authorities. If this is the case, why has the State been unable to shut down this enterprise? There will also be concerns by the headlines generated by a gang calling itself the “Unruly Isis” gang, in light of this country’s status as having one of the highest recruitment rate for foreign terrorist fighters, according to reports from the US media and local law enforcement officials.

The string of murders and the reported deployment of powerful technology by these criminal elements all suggest things have gotten out of control at Enterprise.

We are sceptical that the answer to all of this is simply to build a new police station. However, if the State can deliver on its promise to do so in a short time-frame, and if that station is properly designed and resourced, then we welcome the intervention.

Still we wonder if it is not clear enough that more drastic action is required. Unfortunately, the State must consider calling a state of emergency to address the situation at Enterprise which, daily, is getting worse and which poses a substantial threat to the thousands of innocent civilians who live there and who may find themselves falling within harm’s way.

This continues to be a scenario that is unacceptable. Law and order must prevail. We have to be more concerned for the residents of Enterprise.

They are entitled to live in peace. Further, we warn that the situation is not self-contained. It is very much a reflection of national weaknesses. Whatever strategies are adopted to tackle the matter must have a whole-of-government approach and must also be mindful of the need to address wider problems.

The State cannot focus on Enterprise and then allow the crime to move from that location to some other place. There must be no escape for criminals, wherever they seek to strike in our country. The National Security Council has assessed the situation and is proceeding with a police station. We must defer to the soundness of that judgement.

But we also hope that measure is to be accompanied by more profound action that will, perhaps, be quietly implemented