This remote-controlled drone is being offered as an example of fan safety, a contemporary method of crowd surveillance. But this development raises serious questions about how authorities may treat Scottish football fans in general.
Scottish football fans, who are frequently treated more like potential hooligans than ardent supporters, have long felt the heavy hand of the police. Drones used for crowd surveillance are simply the most recent in a line of policies that many believe patronize rather than protect.
The way that Scottish football matches are policed has changed over the years; many fans feel that it is excessive. The methods used, which range from kettling techniques to the excessive use of stop and search, frequently seem to assume the worst about the fan base.
It’s difficult to strike a compromise between maintaining security and honoring supporters’ freedom to cheer on their teams without drawing attention to themselves.
Safety is important, but the people it is meant to protect shouldn’t be offended or alienated by the techniques used. It’s obvious that authorities need to reevaluate their interactions with supporters when they employ drones to monitor football matches, as demonstrated by Police Scotland.
Rather than spending money on devices that isolate the police from the public even more, resources ought to be directed toward fostering mutual respect and understanding.
Without the detached element of remote surveillance, community policing, communication with fan groups, and cooperative safety planning are tried-and-true strategies that can improve matchday security. These tactics promote a nice environment at football games in addition to ensuring safety.
The treatment of supporters by authorities is a bigger problem, and the usage of drones at Scottish football events is one of its symptoms. Although fan safety is a valid concern, it must be ensured with consideration and deference.
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