New York City Police Prepare to Deploy Surveillance Drones for Labor Day Festivities Amid Backlash
As Labor Day approaches, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) has announced plans to use surveillance drones to monitor large gatherings and outdoor parties in response to complaints about public safety. The decision has sparked immediate backlash from privacy and civil liberties advocates, who argue that the use of drones for surveillance purposes potentially violates existing laws.
The NYPD’s Assistant Commissioner, Kaz Daughtry, stated that the drones would be employed to investigate reports of large crowds or parties and check on the status of private events. However, critics have raised concerns about the implications of such an approach, highlighting the potential infringement on citizens’ privacy rights and the lack of transparency in the NYPD’s surveillance tactics.
Daniel Schwarz, a privacy and technology strategist at the New York Civil Liberties Union, expressed his concerns about the announcement, stating that the deployment of drones in this manner is reminiscent of a sci-fi inspired scenario. He referred to the city’s 2020 law, known as the POST Act, which requires the NYPD to disclose their surveillance practices, suggesting that the use of drones may contradict these regulations.
The unveiling of the drone deployment plan took place during a security briefing focused on J’ouvert, an annual festival celebrating Caribbean culture and marking the end of slavery. The event typically attracts a large number of participants and substantial police presence. Daughtry emphasized that the drones would be utilized not only during the parade but also in response to non-priority and priority calls throughout the city.
New York City is increasingly relying on drones for various policing purposes, with the police department having already deployed them for public safety or emergency situations 124 times this year, a stark increase from just four instances in 2022. Drones have been employed to provide aerial surveillance during events, such as a parking garage collapse and a giveaway event that turned chaotic.
Mayor Eric Adams, who previously served as a police captain, has shown support for expanding the use of drones in policing. He cited Israel’s successful adoption of the technology as a potential model after his recent visit to the country. However, privacy advocates argue that current regulations have failed to keep pace with the increasing prevalence of drones, thereby enabling potential privacy violations if deployed without proper oversight.
Albert Fox Cahn, the executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), highlighted concerns regarding the lack of safeguards against intrusive surveillance. Cahn emphasized the need for transparent disclosure from city officials about current drone usage by the police, while also urging the implementation of clear guidelines to prevent surveillance overreach.
The NYPD has not responded to inquiries seeking further information about its drone policies. In response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams directed attention to new guidelines facilitating private drone operations in the city but did not address the issue of the NYPD’s drone surveillance policies.
Approximately 1,400 police departments across the United States currently employ drones in some capacity, according to a recent report from the American Civil Liberties Union. Although federal rules generally restrict drone flights to within the operator’s line of sight, many departments have requested exemptions to these regulations. The report predicts an imminent surge in the use of drones among police departments.
Privacy advocates argue that city officials should promote greater transparency regarding existing drone usage and implement robust safeguards against potential privacy violations. They assert that the prospect of drones hovering over backyard barbecues represents an unacceptable intrusion into the private lives of New Yorkers.
In conclusion, while the NYPD’s plan to utilize surveillance drones during Labor Day festivities aims to enhance public safety, it has sparked significant backlash from privacy and civil liberties advocates. The deployment of drones for monitoring purposes raises concerns about the erosion of privacy rights and the need for comprehensive regulations governing their use.
