The Santa Rosa Police Department is proposing a drone program designed to respond to emergencies more quickly, with drones capable of arriving within two minutes. While proponents argue this could enhance situational awareness and aid in de-escalation efforts, civil rights groups raise alarms over privacy and equity issues, particularly regarding potential over-surveillance in communities of color. The program follows similar implementations in other Californian cities, but critics, including local NAACP representatives, are demanding safeguards to protect civil liberties.
Stephen Zollman, Criminal Justice Chair for the Sonoma County NAACP, stated, "And this is statistically validated, that they tend to over-monitor communities of color. So, the concern is given that the drones will be flying over certain communities more than the other communities."
Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy emphasized, "Think about how important it is to determine if it's a pencil in someone's hand or a knife or cell phone. This is about de-escalation at its best."
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