The New York City Police Department plans to use unmanned drones to surveil backyard parties in New York City this Labor Day weekend, prompting renewed privacy concerns in the Big Apple.
The effort is being made due to complaints about large gatherings, law enforcement officials announced on Thursday, but it immediately drew backlash from privacy advocates worried about over-policing.
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“If a caller states there’s a large crowd, a large party in a backyard, we’re going to be utilizing our assets to go up and go check on the party,” Kaz Daughtry, assistant NYPD commissioner, said at a press conference.
The strategy was announced in advance of J’Ouvert and the West Indian Day Parade, festivities focused in Brooklyn. Police said while “the goal” is for “everyone to have a celebratory weekend with the least amount of enforcement,” the drones will respond to both “priority and non-priority” calls.
The drones send images to a control operations unit inside police headquarters, according to the Gothamist, allowing authorities to determine what kind of response is needed. Chief of Patrol John Chell has said drones can respond to calls quicker than a patrol car, especially during crowded events.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams, formerly an NYPD captain, has faced scrutiny over his investment in the city’s police department, including drones. The technology not only surfaces debates over privacy but also into how advanced tech be used to police citizens.
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Adams has called the potential of drones “endless,” and after visiting Israel last week and witnessing its use of the technology, he wants police here to embrace it.
With a population of well over 8 million people, NYC is the largest city in the country and extremely dense. Tensions can rise over large gatherings producing noise and street impediments. In addition to the parades, large crowds are expected on the weekend of Labor Day, a federal holiday.
