Alameda County

Community Discusses San Jose Police Drones

San Jose police on Wednesday gave a presentation about the department's Unmanned Aerial System, also known as a drone, at the city's Neighborhood Commission meeting at City Hall.

Residents of San Jose were given an opportunity at the meeting to hear about the San Jose Police Department's policy regarding its drones.

Deputy Chief David Hober told commissioners he wants to use the drone when a birds eye view can provide life-saving information.

"What we'd like to use it for is specifically explosive devices and instances like an active shooter or hostage or barricaded situation," Hober said.

The San Jose Police Department revealed its purchase of a drone in August, which officers procured through federal funding without San Jose City Council approval or public discussion. The department apologized for a lack of transparency.

The department received the remote-controlled, six-propeller UAS, model Century NEO 660 Hex-Rotor, in January and has test flown it once but has not used it in public yet, police Officer Albert Morales said. The drone costs $6,965.

Bob Sippel, who sits on the San Jose Police Chief's Advisory Board, believes the camera carrying drone is a valuable tool as long as it is used wisely.

"If it gets out of line I'll be the first to scream," Sippel said.

The American Civil Liberties Union has countered that the use of drones presents an opportunity for law enforcement to conduct surveillance of private citizens without warrants.

Other members of the public who attended the meeting said there must be clear use guidelines and record keeping when the drone is used.

"To ensure it will not be used to single out communities and infringe on right to privacy as well," said Sameena Usman, Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Charlotte Casey of the San Jose Peace and Justice Center said she would support drone use if a different department had the controls.

The commission on Wednesday asked the police department to craft guidelines and bring that information back to city hall for another community meeting in December.

According to the Century website, the NEO 660 has six 10-inch propellers, mounts for a GPS device and GoPro brand camera and has options including 12-inch propellers and an aircraft radio transmitter and receiver system.

The craft is capable of "stable hovering, precise cruising passes, and even enough power for loops and rolls can be achieved," the company states on its website. "It is a perfect platform for someone that's looking for a solid multi-rotor for aerial photography, search and rescue operations, law enforcement agencies, and other activities where a flying drone is needed," the website states.

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