Protesters — gathered on the steps of the county Hall of Administration to launch a Drone-Free LASD/No Drones, LA! campaign — said use of the unmanned aerial craft is a “giant step forward in the militarization of local law enforcement” and called on the supervisors to intervene.
Citing a long history of mistrust between the Sheriff’s Department and the communities it serves, coalition members said they had no confidence that the LASD would limit the use of the technology and respect privacy rights.
“We cannot trust the Sheriff’s Department,” said coalition spokeswoman Jamie Garcia.
The coalition touted its success in convincing the Los Angeles Police Department to lock up its drones, acquired from the Seattle Police Department.
Coalition spokesman Hamid Khan said there were no circumstances under which the group would condone the use of drones.
“For us … it is completely a non-starter,” Khan told reporters. “We know how policies are violated.”
Khan said SWAT teams, originally envisioned for use in high-profile tactical situations, are now used in fighting low-level drug crimes.
“We know that mission creep is real,” Khan said.
Sheriff Jim McDonnell announced the acquisition of an unmanned aircraft system last week, saying the Federal Aviation Administration had also approved its use in hazardous materials incidents, disaster response, arson fires and with barricaded, armed suspects.
The remote controlled unit with an on-board video camera is assigned to the Special Enforcement Bureau, which comprises the Emergency Services, Special Enforcement, Arson/Explosives and HazMat details.
“The dangers of law enforcement can never be eliminated. However, this technology can assist us in reducing the impact of risks on personnel and allow us to perform operations to enhance public safety,” McDonnell said last week at a news conference to announce his planned drone use. [View video of the news conference here.]
The drone can gather otherwise inaccessible information and give deputies the ability to make better choices, the sheriff said.
The coalition countered that law enforcement drones often monitor non-criminal activity and can result in secret files held on innocent people.
In a letter intended for the Board of Supervisors, the group said the LASD’s tips and leads program, initiated as part of the agency’s counterterrorism efforts, “has evolved into LASD’s insidious tool for everyday policing.”
Also in that letter, the group alleges that the Sheriff’s Department “is in the process of creating a massive facial recognition and biometric database with the capacity to hold information on 15 million individuals.”
Privacy wasn’t the only concern raised by opponents, who pointed out that North Dakota has legalized law enforcement use of drones armed with non-lethal weapons such as tear gas, rubber bullets and Tasers.
The coalition is seeking an emergency meeting with the board.
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Ron says
I dont care if they use it to bust drug dealers. If your worried about it dont deal drugs.
Tim Scott says
Please post your entire browser history. Then set up a streaming webcam so we can keep an eye on you. If you’re not dealing drugs why wouldn’t you?
Ron says
Well if the law keeps an eye on me, they will be really bored. Only thing they may see me do is play guitar.
Ron says
So whats the problem? How would this be any differnt than having extra street patrol or extra foot patrol ? It benefits us and keeps us safe.
inside info says
how does a drone keep you safe? Whatever is happening will still happen, the drone only records it. Does more harm to your privacy rights than good benefits. May be useful in some situations, then and only then should they be used, legislation would need to determine what those situations are. Don’t cower to fear tactics to believe they are useful.
Danny says
It’s about time as long as it’s in a public place
Tim Scott says
Sure, because the Sheriff’s Department has such a terrific track record that surely they can be trusted with that “as long as…” provision.
Oh.
Wait.
No, their record indicates that if you give them a SWAT team to handle hostage crises the next thing you know they are kicking in granny’s door to serve a warrant on a traffic violation. If you give them a helicopter to monitor suspects fleeing a crime scene the next thing you know the locker room at the station is decorated with pictures of citizens sunbathing in their back yards. All in all the idea that the Sheriff’s Department will act responsibly, in any way, seems optimistic beyond any attachment to reality.
10Dog says
If your not doing something illegal why are you concern about it?
Tim Scott says
Please post your entire browser history. Then set up a streaming webcam so we can keep an eye on you. If you’re not doing something illegal why wouldn’t you?
Callingitasitis says
The same people who wanted body cameras NOW do not want any eyes in the sky. It is better than a full size helicopter, it is small, low profile and most likely cheaper than to run than a full sized bird & its crew. Maybe you who live in Lancaster can get a refund on that LEAP thing? Of course it (drones unit) should have oversight by the oversight committee board. We do not need some numbnuts peeping into areas it has no legal access to without a warrant. Public Street, walk ways and open public access areas like parks, places that they could legally post government run cameras. The committee needs to address the policy that LASD will use for aero operations in support of ground operations. I support the idea but it has to have OVERSIGHT and clearly stated/set policy. The military and law enforcement organization have common roots with many common objectives, Public Safety being one of them. Sure the Cops does not need an M1 Abrams tank, 20mm Vulcan cannon or 105mm Howitzer. If the State Governor really needs heavy firepower or equipment they call up the National Guard.
KJH says
The community needs these tools for disaster management, situation emergencies to save lives. We are isolated and there is often greater need for first responder assessment. These coalition members don’t even live in our AV communities. If you don’t live here, don’t put your nose in AV business, especially since you don’t understand the public safety needs of our community.