RT NewsFor a city infamous for circling police helicopters, Los Angeles Police were surprisingly late to the drone game. All that has changed, however, as the department quietly added two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to its arsenal.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced they had acquired two Draganflyer X6 aircraft as “gifts” from the Seattle Police, the department said on Friday.
“These vehicles were purchased by the Seattle Police Department using federal grants. There was no cost to the city of Los Angeles,” CBS Los Angeles cites police as saying.
The 3.5-lbs. UAV, which looks like a small helicopter, is about three-feet-wide and boasts a camera, video recorder and infrared night-vision capabilities.
The Department added that the craft will remain grounded for the time being until a proper review is conducted.
“No decision has been made whether or not these vehicles will be used. They are currently in the custody of a federal law enforcement agency pending review by the LAPD and the Board of Police Commissioners, as well as the public,” the department said in a statement.
The department’s cautiousness is likely sparked by concerns of spying and other privacy violations.
According to LA Weekly, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already expressed its concern, noting that the LAPD only received the drones after the public in Seattle had rejected their deployment on privacy grounds.
The ACLU fears the craft “can be used for completely surreptitious surveillance that a helicopter could never perform – and could pose particular threats to privacy when combined with other technology like facial recognition software, infrared night vision cameras, or microphones to record personal conversations.”
Seattle police, ironically, seem to have dumped the drones on the LAPD to avoid further controversy, as difficulties in returning the UAVs to the manufacturer sparked fears they would not remain grounded forever.
Attempting to assuage public concern, the LAPD released a statement saying the UAVs use would be limited to specific circumstances.
“The review would only consider narrow and prescribed uses to prevent imminent bodily harm, for example, a hostage situation or barricaded armed suspect,” the department said.
The LAPD already has the United States biggest police helicopter fleet – 17 choppers in total. The fleet costs an average of $20 million a year to maintain.
Terrific. That’s the last thing this POS hellhole needs…
“…the LAPD only received the drones after the public in Seattle had rejected their deployment on privacy grounds.”
No such concerns here.
Freakin’ BAST@RDS!
So now Homeland Security is using straw buyers to send military equipment to all the police departments and to cover their slimy tracks. There is a very good and valid reason why Seattle citizens pay for Seattle police and their equipment and salaries. It’s to hold them accountable. When HLS sends them MRAPS, assault rifles and drones it’s called bribes. And just like with the mafia they don’t loan you money without asking you for a big favor in the future. And that big favor in the future will be to fire upon American citizens.
So how come no one is shooting these damn things down? They can’t be flying that high out of range.
It’s ‘illegal’ to shoot guns within city limits here, don’cha know.
Unless you’re a killer cop.
Then throw a rock at it or use a slingshot. Do I have to think of everything? lol
I don’t do ‘Palestinian’ well.
lol
Hey #1, I thought “illegal’ was a sick bird! 🙂
In Kenya?
I hope the citizens of LA soon acquire microwave gun ability,will take care of pesky drones.