Drone News - Good, Bad, Ugly

Here is the latest drone-related news from Wisconsin:

Good -

A notable drone-related headline in Wisconsin this past week centered on a dramatic rescue: First responders in Alto Township, Wisconsin, used a thermal imaging drone to locate and rescue a missing three-year-old boy from the middle of a massive 100-acre cornfield. The boy had been missing for about ninety minutes before deputies enlisted the aid of a drone operator from the City of Fond du Lac Police Department. The drone’s thermal camera detected a heat spot in the cornfield, leading rescuers straight to the child, who was found uninjured and carried to safety. Authorities said the quick recovery could have ended much differently without drone technology and praised the collaboration between local agencies. An great example of technology and collaboration between local agencies and the public to assist someone in need. We are thrilled that the family was able to reunite so quickly.

Bad-

One negative drone headline in Wisconsin this past week involved privacy and law enforcement concerns: There were reports of possible police drone monitoring over the Brown County Wisconsin Fair in DePere, WI, during August 2025. The use of drones by police to monitor large public gatherings has raised questions among some community members about surveillance, privacy, and the extent of police powers at public events. While it is not illegal for law enforcement to use drones in public places, these incidents often generate debate about the boundaries of drone use and the rights of citizens.

At Vector, we recognize the importance of using drones for safety purposes, particularly in overseeing and managing large crowds and monitoring areas with previous issues. As a response tool, drones are invaluable. However, if they start being used to pre-identify and potentially track "bad actors," it crosses into surveillance that infringes on people's use of public spaces and events.

Ugly-

In the agricultural sector, some Midwest pilots admitted to illegally flying large chemical-spraying drones without proper safety certification or FAA approval. These actions risked possible fines up to $30,000 and posed potential hazards to nearby workers and property. The combination of terrorism concerns and reckless drone operations highlights the “ugly” side of Midwest drone news this year.

It's unfortunate that some individuals are willing to jeopardize the livelihoods of others by damaging a segment of the drone industry that is just beginning to expand.

As one type of drone work that we are looking to get into or at least aid in creating variable spray maps that the spray drones can follow we see this as something that can not be overlooked.

As with any tool it can be used for good or bad the choice and those responsible are always the operator.