Critics protest police drones, city council delays decision

Seattle is not ready to allow police to fly drones. A City Council committee took testimony on a proposal to regulate the unmanned aircraft but took no action.

The City Council has concerns about when police would need a warrant to fly a drone and what they could do with evidence that might be collected inadvertently. A proposed ordinance would prohibit police from using data collected secondary to the intended drone operation.

“I really struggle with this,” said Bruce Harrell, chair of the council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee. “It could be a murder, so how do we deal with that.”

Jennifer Shaw, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is pleased that the ordinance would require police to obtain a warrant before flying the drone, with the exception of some specific public safety emergencies or for training purposes.

The drones are equipped with video cameras although they are not as heavy as military style drones.

Safety is an issue for the Federal Aviation Administration. Assistant Police Chief Paul McDonagh was briefed by the F.A.A, which emphasized its opposition to the use of drones during protests or demonstrations. The proposed Seattle ordinance would not allow that but federal regulations require reasonable precautions for the use of drones, including avoiding populated areas.

“So what they require is that you have to put a perimeter around the area that you’re flying in. It doesn’t have to be lock-down solid, it doesn’t mean that people can’t come in and out of their homes,” explained McDonagh.

The issue of drones is not complicated for some critics who spoke Wednesday at city hall.

“You cannot use those,” one man testified. “That is illegal, against the U.S. Constitution.”

“No drones,” another man chanted.

The council committee delayed any vote.

Police have just two drones and the ordinance would require city council approval to purchase new drones or swap out the existing aircraft.