The Civilian Oversight Commission voted 5-4 to call for the grounding of the drone program, which began in January. Critics have decried the use of the drone, fearing possible “mission creep,” suggesting the drone could be used for spying and could one day be armed or be deployed as a weapon.
McDonnell, however, said that while he respects the commission’s input, the drone program “is too important as a public safety tool” to end.
“I will not face the loved ones of a victim whose life could have been saved by our ability to deploy (a drone),” McDonnell said.
“We have used the (drone) judiciously, only five times since the program launched nine months ago,” he said. “These include two search-and- rescue missions for a missing 5-year-old Pasadena boy, one search-and-rescue for a missing woman whose car was found in Malibu and two active shooter situations where the (drone) allowed for the safe search for additional victims.
In each of these situations, the (drone) was deployed only in circumstances that met the strict criteria of our department policy and FAA regulations,” McDonnell said. “It is unarmed, will remain unarmed, will not be used in any manner that violates the constitutional rights of individuals.”
McDonnell said in January the $10,000 drone would be used only for search-and-rescue operations, bomb detection, hostage situations and other critical incidents.
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ANON says
After what just happened this past weekend, the better reconsider things.
Roger says
… a surveillance drone is not a toy. No matter how LASD disguises it, make no mistake, it is a hunting tool – a human hunting tool. Once fully armed countermeasure arrays, RADAR, LASER, and thermal IR, they’re no longer referred to as drones. Rather, they’re referred to by defense-intelligence as, Hotel-Kilos (e.g., HKs; hunter-killers). You had a bad day? Scanners detect you’re under high anxiety? Under 30 seconds, three HKs loitering over your head, until you’re intercepted by crisis counselors, who 5150 you to your safe space, for a 72 hour eval. Look erst thou leap, see erst thou go, once these surveillance drones become fully automated, controlled by other computers which, in-turn, are controlled by other computers? Better lookout, jelly bean. Wake up for a whiff of what you’ve been cooking. Top-down enslavement of the entire human race is a whole lot closer than you realize.
Laura says
… brave new world, it won’t be long now, before these police surveillance drones are chasing you down the freeway, monitoring your lawn watering, snapping pictures when your garage door opens, following your wife to the grocery store, peeping into your backyard while your teenage daughter’s sunbathing, scanning license plates at community, religious and political meetings, peeping into your bedroom windows at night, zooming up to your home whensoever it detects mom and dad arguing.
Laughing says
Helicopters and planes do the freeway chases now.
The county already monitors lawn watering with the new smart meters.
The thieves in the half way house down the street already scan the garage and yard every chance they get.
The grocery store , Google, Facebook and other capitalist corps are tracking much better in that grocery store than any cop is capable of.
My neighbor with the drone landed on my A/C unit with his drone while looking at my yard. Pellet gun stopped that crap.
Police cruisers already have plate scanning systems, so do towing companies and several others. They all often patrol parking lots and streets.
Use curtains if you are concerned about outside peepers at night. Thermal cameras on the copter can already see all movement and locations.
It might be nice having someone interrupting arguments and preventing violence.
NewmanNoPlantsHere says
I’m OK with the drones. I have nothing to hide.
Leslie says
Only one reason these police drones exist: to impinge upon our Founding Father’s constitution. Under no circumstance am I okay with government surveillance, drones or otherwise.
Casual observer says
I despise the “…but the Founding Fathers” type of arguments.
The “Founding Fathers” never foresaw a time when thugs and street criminals would purse snatch women on the street, rape them in back alleys or commit home invasion robberies on a mass scale either. They never foresaw sex slavery or fraud on the scale we’re seeing it now.
Starting an argument with “…but the Founding Fathers” is tantamount to starting an argument like, “…but the Bible says”
It really doesn’t matter anymore. Those things and those people were part of THOSE times, and not now!
Ryan says
… single best deterrent against government surveillance drones: Trees. Lots and lots of trees on your property, with a nice afternoon breeze. Best (and, most fun) way of taking out government surveillance drones: a wrist rocket, with shotgun style ice pellets. No ballistics after the ice melts, no forensically impeccable method of physically tracing causality to a slingshot, there is no way you could ever be prosecuted. For the cost of a lousy surveillance drone, you’d be too expensive to prosecute –
Dr. Robert says
Several seconds resting my eyes for a good, long sober stare upon the accompanying photograph to this article? That is one scary, evil, sinister looking device. I don’t like it. Not one iota. Flown by cowards, drones are sneaky, and they’re underhanded. I would have no compunction whatsoever shooting it down.
Laughing says
Sneaky? They are loud, irritating devices.
Jimbo says
the most egregious sissy-whussy-cowards on this planet, not in your lifetime will you ever see a police or military drone pilot decorated, for bravery
Laughing says
Ryan, why were you describing my property and tactics LOL
DENISSE WILKINS says
WE NEED TO FOCUS THESE DRONES ON EX VETERANS THEY ARE REALLY DANGEROUS AND MOST ARE TRUMP SUPPORTERS THEYVE TAKEN LIVES OVERSEAS AND NOW ARE LIVING AMONG US SO SCARY
PoliticallyToxic AKA Misquote says
Lady, are you serious, or just trying to stir things up? If you’re serious, I’m speechless, so drop dead. It would be best for your fellow citizens, cause you don’t deserve to live here.
Vets are among the finest citizens we have. They have at least done something to contribute.
I would love to spit in your face.
Tim Scott says
What exactly is an “ex-veteran”? I’m a veteran, and I have no idea how to stop being a veteran.
Nothing of Interest AKA PoliticallyToxic says
I responded multiple times with fury, venom and righteous outrage. Got flushed by the janitor (oops, moderator).
Help me out hear cause I’m speechless. Somebody gotta kick some a$$ on this one.
Nothing of Interest AKA PoliticallyToxic says
I’m so upset, I misspelled.
Nothing of Interest AKA PoliticallyToxic says
Maybe put electronic ankle bracelets on vets? Cheaper than drones. Your post shocks even me!!!!!!!!
Meme says
People of the Antelope Valley are so drop-dead stupid, they want police drones hovering 34/7-365, over “ex-veterans” [sic] heads! (?)
ANON says
Time for a new commission. One that can see things.
Question Lancaster Authority says
When will one of Lancaster’s useless commissions call for an end to the $10 million dollar boondoggle known as LEAPS?
Turd Ferguson says
Do you know what else they should end?Do you know what else they should end?They should end LEAPS.They should end LEAPS.LEAPS is a waste of taxpayer dollars.LEAPS is a waste of taxpayer dollars.LEAPS is worthless.LEAPS is worthless.I am tired of the lies about LEAPS.I am tired of the lies about LEAPS.It is a joke among the rank and file.It is a joke among the rank and file.It only makes Rex’s political pal rich.It only makes Rex’s political pal rich.It costs $90,000.00 a month.It costs $90,000.00 a month.That is $1,080,000.00 a year.That is $1,080,000.00 a year.For ten years.For ten years.That is $10,800,000.00.That is $10,800,000.00.For Rex’s political pal.For Rex’s political pal.While crime increases.While crime increases.While murder increases.While murder increases.While homelessness increases.While homelessness increases.While panhandling increases.While panhandling increases.No to LEAPS.No to LEAPS.Yes to Sherriffs.Yes to Sherriffs.More boots on the ground.More boots on the ground.No toLEAPS.No to LEAPS.
Tim says
… once upon a time not long ago, the Antelope Valley was a free society. The local Michael D Antonovich Superior Courthouse, secretly behind a clandestine agenda pulling strings to get their little buddies at the LASD outfitted, with high-resolution surveillance drones equipped with advanced eavesdropping arrays, it’s no accident the Antelope Valley is slated to become the most advanced, the most developed, the most invasive electronic surveillance state in America –
Misquote AKA PoliticalPollution says
As far as privacy, personal liberty, and 1st and 4th Amendment rights, I’m with ya on this one 110%. Flip side is some violent, criminal people need to be watched and regulated. So I dunno. It’s a symptom of our valley.
But instinctually, big brother has always creeped me out from reading George Orwell on. And drones seem like big brother. Except for military drones.