San Jose police closer to using drones

The San Jose city council has given the police department the go-ahead to use a new drone for crime fighting. “It’s not about surveilling the public, it’s about giving us another tool that we can use on the street”, Sgt.

The $7,000 drone, which the police department acquired in 2014, has been at the center of debate and the focus of a series of community meetings over privacy concerns. “It will not be used for surveillance, it does not have telephoto lenses, it does not have infrared lenses, it does not have any types of weapons or anything disruptive”, Larry Ames from the San Jose Neighborhoods Commission said.

The FAA is just not anticipated to finalize using the drone till late 2016.

The police drone would also be prohibited from flying at night and recording video.

According to the policy, the drone will be used only in two circumstances: to support the bomb squad in dealing with explosive material or when there is a live shooter or hostage situation.

The commanding officer is the one one approved to approve utilizing the drone, and every use will probably be logged.

Should the council approve the drone program, it would still need Federal Aviation Administration approval.