Eyes in the Sky: Southern California police increasing turning to drones

Police departments across the United States, including Southern California, are increasingly turning to drones to fight crime.

Law enforcement agencies cite a range of benefits, from monitoring dangerous situations to gathering intel before officers arrive on the scene. However, the question of how much drone surveillance is too much has sparked debate, with some calling for clearer boundaries.

In Anaheim, Corona police used a drone to keep watch on an armed man in a standoff on the 91 Freeway. Fullerton police also deployed drones recently, giving them a view of an armed suspect after a 911 call of a disturbance at a home.

Drone technology has proven effective for more than just outdoor incidents. During a recent training exercise in Fountain Valley, Irvine police flew a drone indoors to simulate locating a barricaded suspect. 

“It allows us to remain at a safer distance while sending in eyes to assess the situation,” said Sgt. Christopher Bees of the Irvine Police Department.

While drones have clear advantages in high-stakes situations, the proactive approach taken by the Beverly Hills Police Department has raised eyebrows. Unlike most departments, Beverly Hills actively deploys drones for general city surveillance. 

Large signs at city entrances alert residents and visitors that police drones are in use, patrolling the city 12 hours a day, seven days a week. 

“They can fly it remotely to any call for service or any suspicious activity. And then we can go and check out critical infrastructure as well and maintain security,” Lt. Todd Withers, who oversees Beverly Hills’ program, explained to KTLA.

Opinions on this level of surveillance vary among the public. 

Pouya Hashemi, a visitor to Beverly Hills, told KTLA he supports the drones, saying they likely enhance safety. Another visitor, Brittany Smith, saw value in the program but worried about potential invasions of privacy.

Privacy advocates echo Smith’s concerns. 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a report in 2023 questioning the extensive use of drones in places like Beverly Hills. Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the ACLU and author of the report, warned against the normalization of drones hovering over people’s everyday lives. 

“Law enforcement likes to tout certain success stories,” Stanley said. “But the real question is what the limits are going to be.” 

Stanley argued that drones should only be deployed in genuine emergencies.

Lt. Withers, however, believes the proactive use of drones has been crucial in solving crimes. While he acknowledges privacy concerns, he emphasizes that the Beverly Hills Police Department has policies in place to ensure transparency. 

“We certainly don’t want to be intrusive,” he said, noting that drones are typically used only when responding to specific incidents.

The debate highlights a broader issue: finding a balance between effective policing and respecting individual privacy. As drone technology continues to evolve, so too will the conversation surrounding its use in law enforcement.