Opponents worry the drones will be used for surveillance. They're concerned about privacy issues.
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"They are expanding their air force now," said Jamie Garcia of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition. "I don't want them to fly over us and put a spotlight into our backyards and spy on us. They are bringing drones into our homes."
At a police commission meeting on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department presented the results of a one-year pilot program. According to the department, the drones were only deployed four times, by SWAT teams.
There is a new proposal to also use them in dangerous situations "such as barricaded suspects, high-risk warrants and explosives and hazardous materials such as suspected radiological materials and so forth," says LAPD Chief Michel Moore.
Tuesday's meeting was contentious, with a number of people objecting to any use of drones.
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The commission approved the use of drone technology, Moore noted.
"There are constitutionally protected activity ... that include privacy rights of locations as described here. I fully intended to and will continue to support those rights," the police chief said.
The existing drone pilot program will continue. In about 2 to 2 1/2 months, the Police Department is expected to submit an updated plan for the unmanned devices' future use.