Directs the Department of Homeland Security to assess the feasibility of using drones for enhanced border security and to disrupt maritime drug smuggling along the U.S. coastline.
Pablo José Hernández Rivera
Representative
PR
The Coastal Drone Surveillance and Interdiction Assessment Act mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to evaluate the feasibility of using drones for enhanced border security and to disrupt maritime and low-altitude drug smuggling along U.S. coastlines. This assessment, due within 180 days, will identify major trafficking corridors and remote communities, and analyze the effectiveness, risks, and potential of drone deployment.
Homeland Security Mandated to Assess Coastal Drone Use for Border Security and Drug Interdiction Within 180 Days
This bill, the "Coastal Drone Surveillance and Interdiction Assessment Act," isn't deploying drones tomorrow, but it is kicking off a study. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to deliver a detailed report within 180 days. The focus? Evaluating how effective drones could be in beefing up security along U.S. coastlines, specifically looking at stopping drug smuggling that happens by sea or low-flying aircraft.
Eyes on the Coast: What the Study Covers
The core task here is assessment. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needs to figure out the pros and cons of using drones for surveillance and stopping smugglers, particularly in known trafficking corridors and more remote coastal communities. This means looking at:
- Effectiveness: Do drones actually help catch more smugglers or deter activity compared to current methods?
- Risks: What are the potential downsides? This could range from operational challenges to safety concerns.
- Potential: What new capabilities could drones offer law enforcement along the vast U.S. coastline?
Balancing Security Boosts with Real-World Concerns
While the goal is enhanced security and drug interdiction – potentially offering better eyes on the water and maybe even saving costs – the assessment also needs to grapple with the practical side effects. Key questions the report will likely need to address include:
- Privacy: How would drone surveillance impact people living near or using coastal areas? What rules would govern the data collected?
- Community Impact: What would increased drone activity mean for communities, especially regarding noise or environmental factors near potential launch or operation sites?
The bill itself doesn't set the rules for drone use; it just demands this study. Because the legislation is focused solely on assessment right now, details on specific drone types, operational limits, or data handling policies aren't included – these are the kinds of questions the required report is expected to explore before any potential deployment decisions are made.