New York, NY – The New York City Police Department announced plans to use surveillance drones over outdoor parties and barbecues during the Labor Day weekend, drawing criticism from privacy and civil liberties groups.
Officials revealed the initiative on Thursday as a response to complaints about large gatherings, including private events. “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,” said Kaz Daughtry, the Assistant NYPD Commissioner, during a press conference.
The announcement has sparked concerns among privacy and civil liberties advocates who question the legality of this kind of drone use in police surveillance. Investigations into whether the drones violate existing laws are underway.