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Not in My House: Seattle Mayor Nixes City’s Drone Program, Returns Equipment

Feb. 9, 2013 10:32am

SEATTLE (TheBlaze/AP) — Seattle’s mayor on Thursday ordered the police department to abandon its plan to use drones after residents and privacy advocates protested.

Mayor Mike McGinn said the department will not use two small drones it obtained through a federal grant. The unmanned aerial vehicles will be returned to the vendor, he said.

“Today I spoke with Seattle Police Chief John Diaz, and we agreed that it was time to end the unmanned aerial vehicle program, so that SPD can focus its resources on public safety and the community building work that is the department’s priority,” the mayor said in a brief statement.

The decision comes as the debate over drones heats up across the country. Lawmakers in at least 11 states are looking at plans to restrict the use of drones over their skies amid concerns the vehicles could be exploited to spy on Americans.

The Seattle Police Department previously said it would use drones to provide an overhead view of large crime scenes, serious accidents, disasters, and search and rescue operations. It had conducted demonstrations of the drones to show the public their capabilities.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn Nixes Police Department Drone Program

Courtesy komonews.com

The program drew strong criticism from residents Wednesday at a meeting of the City Council, which was considering an ordinance giving police the authority to use drones.

The proposed measure would have allowed the use of drones for data collection but barred police from using them over “open-air assembly of people” or for general surveillance. The drones would have carried no weapons, but the proposal would have allowed police to use facial-recognition software in them.

The police department had purchased two Draganflyer X6 vehicles, which have a width of 36 inches, length of 33.5 inches and stand just under a foot. The drones are capable of flying indoors and outdoors and carry a camera, according to the company website.

The department had not yet begun using the drones but received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

One of the program’s key adversaries was the Washington chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which argued the drones were obtained without any public input or discussion.

“We applaud the mayor’s action,” spokesman Doug Honig said Thursday. “Drones would have given the police unprecedented abilities to engage in surveillance and intrude on the privacy of people in Seattle … and there was a never a strong case made that Seattle needed them for public safety.”

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn Nixes Police Department Drone Program

(Photo: Colin Diltz, AP)

Moving forward, the ACLU would like to see the Legislature adopt “very tight restrictions” on law-enforcement drones statewide, Honig said.

Opposition to the use of drones in the U.S. has come from opposite sides of the political spectrum, including civil liberties advocates and those worried over government intrusion.

On Monday, the Charlottesville City Council in Virginia passed a resolution imposing a two-year moratorium on the use of drones within city limits. The Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties group behind the city’s effort, said Charlottesville is the first city in the country to limit the use of drones by police.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn Nixes Police Department Drone Program

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security drones do enter Washington airspace occasionally, patrolling the Canadian border east of the Cascade mountains. The two 10,000-pound Predator-B unmanned aircraft are based in North Dakota.

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Featured image courtesy Getty Images.

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Comments (53)

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  • Arshloch
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:39pm

    At last one intelligent mayor. Naw’yak would be well advised to replace ‘the Bloomer’ with Mike McGinn. Since Rudy left it’s been all down hill and, when it is more important to limit soda size than stop mayhem, change is long over due.

    Report this comment

    Arshloch  
    • Abigail Adams
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:59pm

      I’m in Washington and my sister is a Seattle Cop. Believe me, the Mayor is a complete moron. He made the right move here but for all the wrong reasons. There was too many in opposition and it was eating up grant money that is sorely needed in more effective law enforcement tools.
      The mayor has spoken in support for legalizing marijuana (which is now legal here) and doesn’t support Seattle cops at all. Then he wonders why. Any of them live outside of the city.

      So I agree – good decision. But disagree with basing an opinion of the mayor on just this one decision

      Report this comment

      Abigail Adams  
    • NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 8:02pm

      Abey, Agree fully. The vast majority of politicians in King County can’t be trusted to use their brains. I live on the east side, the only reason I cross the mountains any more is family.

      Report this comment

      NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY  
    • CREENDN
      Posted on February 10, 2013 at 2:30am

      Exactly right Abigail. The title of the story makes it sound like it was his idea but he was for the drones until the people spoke. NYC can have him!

      Report this comment

      CREENDN  
  • LeoNine
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 2:25pm

    Information, of ANY kind, provided to ANYONE who has the authority to ACT on that information, will eventually be missused. The opportunities to gain information on the private lives of ANY citizen, using a system of drones, will eventually be taken. All citizens have a right to privacy, ESPECIALLY from their governments.You’ll set up a comittee to watch those who use the drones ? Excellent ! Who will watch the watchers ?

    Report this comment

    LeoNine  
  • Bangstick
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:53pm

    I could support use of drones but only in life saving events. The problem comes when mission creep sets in and the drones get used for all kinds of uses to justify their expense.

    Then it’s just a matter of time before the cops are caught using them to peek into your daughters windows when she is changing clothes and calling it a ‘training op’.

    Report this comment

    Bangstick  
    • rightwingtunes.com
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 3:47pm

      I doubt cops would be looking in your daughter’s bedroom window, but if Menendez hasn’t rented one before, he will now.

      Report this comment

      rightwingtunes.com  
  • VetMike
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:19pm

    I am amazed that uber Liberal Seattle would do this. Maybe if they were told it would only used to hunt down gun owners and the drone would armed to take them out they would have approved of using the drones.

    Report this comment

    VetMike  
    • shorelineliz
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:54pm

      Washington STate is full of non Seattle people who farm and live in rural areas and who own guns. There are lots of people who hunt and fish. I am not surprised this ordinance failed. Also, Seattle itself is home to lots of people who are now smoking weed legally. Can you imagine what else this drone would have found out? They HAD to kill this drone in Seattle cause it would have REVEALED way too much drug crime. LMAO!

      Report this comment

      shorelineliz  
    • rightwingtunes.com
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:58pm

      Great insight, amigo! I got to thinking about Progressives and rights. I came up with this”

      The New, Progressive Miranda Warnining

      1. You have the right to remain silent. Of course, we have the right to silence you before birth, and during a review of your medical costs when you are older and in end of expensive, government sponsored procedures.

      2. Anything you say can, and will be used against you in a court of law. Well, in a court of law or in the court of public opinion. We reserve the right to define you, and to use our NYT and network tv pals to ensure this. If you become a little too destabilizing, you may transition from a blog thrower to a drone catcher.

      3. You have the right to talk to an attorney before any questions are asked. Of course, as our new program develops, a lawyer may not want to stand anywhere near you. You see, you may put up collateral for legal expenses, but he won’t want to be collateral damage. We may choose to question you, and stick to our deeply held principal that enemies of the U.S. have due process rights, or we may just process you with an overstuffed sparkler.

      4. If you can’t afford a lawyer, it may just save your ass. You see, we love handing out free stuff. Smart phones. EBT cards. Free breakfasts, lunches and dinners. You get the idea…if you stay unemployed and on our roles, we may defer your day of reckoning indefinitely. Vote early, and often.

      Report this comment

      rightwingtunes.com  
    • NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 8:06pm

      Liz, You are right about those of us who farm and produce the foods that the cities need. You know what? We just might make the ‘westsiders’ come and get it and pay cash. Another thing, we are used to shooting things that fly.

      Report this comment

      NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY  
  • RestoreCapitalism
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:03pm

    We need to shoot down drones and smart meters. Many people are still in the dark about the meters.

    Report this comment

    RestoreCapitalism  
    • booger71
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:37pm

      They will definitely be in the dark if they shoot their smart meters.

      Report this comment

      booger71  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:02pm

    Thanks Mayor Mike McGinn for standing up!

    Report this comment

    watashbuddyfriend  
  • bikerdogred1
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:02pm

    This guy must be a republican because no democrat would care about an americans right.The democrats the new american communists party.

    Report this comment

    bikerdogred1  
    • WakingSheep
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:34pm

      oh yeah! Well your party has three upside down stars in its logo! Pentagrams.

      I just discovered that earlier… lol… I think…. and FYI I’m not a Republicrat.

      Report this comment

      WakingSheep  
  • barber2
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:58pm

    So our government types are being armed with drones, and yet they expect the citizens to give up their right to bear arms ?? What ?

    Report this comment

    barber2  
  • LouisianaPatriot
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:17pm

    I would love to have one, to spy on that building that houses the secret meetings which our President holds when he doesn’t want the White House records to contain the “who” and “why”. Oh wait… the drones can only be used to spy on us? No way.

    I absolutely applaud the Mayor who nixed that drone project. I am getting very enthused by how many people are allowing their courage to shine through, elected officials and otherwise.

    Report this comment

    LouisianaPatriot  
    • barber2
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:56pm

      Yeah. I’d like to know where Obama and Clinton were the night Ambassador Stevens and the other three men were killed . What was so important that they were left out of the info loop ? Was Obama too busy planning his Las Vegas campaign speech to be bothered with a 9/11 incident…especially since Biden had just told us that ” Osama was dead but GM was still alive ” at the Democrat Convention.

      Report this comment

      barber2  
  • charjan
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:08pm

    Thank you Seattle.

    Report this comment

    charjan  
  • Saff SGT
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:08pm

    I have declared an open season on drones. smart meters black boxes. there are more of us than there are of them. If we all destroy these things when we see them we can control them, need some real Americans to come to the front of the line here. We need them green berets to set us up to get started all over the usa.We need to protect ourselves and the Constitution.

    Report this comment

    Saff SGT  
  • Saff SGT
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:03pm

    Federal grants to spie on Us citizens our fore fathers would turn over in theor graves. Us folks can control this by fighting back, drones, as well as smart meters on your house, and black boxes in your cars. and your phones. Folks smarten up and do it now

    Report this comment

    Saff SGT  
  • Saff SGT
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:01pm

    well is i see one i will try to take it out. killing a spie is noteworthy to me

    Report this comment

    Saff SGT  
  • Saff SGT
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:58am

    I can make drone like that but with a small shotgun on it loaded with grape shot just enough to blow that drone out of the sky. Fight fire with fire…

    Report this comment

    Saff SGT  
  • fastgen1
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:58am

    Well, that little chopper can’t cost that much, just imagine what one a little larger carrying about 10 lbs of C-4 would do. If the ones in congress start using these drones to spy and kill Americans, it could come back to haunt them. Maybe if our wonderful, corrupt, elected officials take notice of this mayor, things might change. Naw, that will never happen, the honest people in this county will need to make lots of these wonderful obamanations, he loves so much. Just remember, he who lives by the drone ————-.

    Report this comment

    fastgen1  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:55am

    But they will continue to use the human manned police helicopter and continue to allow the King5 news helicopters to fill the sky. When it comes down to which program the broke city can afford without fed funds. A drone or a bell 407 helicopter they will go even more in debt for some reason with the manned chopper.

    Was there complaints and even laws to ban manned craft with inferred cameras and spot lights that are brighter than the sun when they first took to the skies over cities way back in the 80′s. All under the complaint of privacy. Does the size of the craft matter. If they turn a Bell chopper into a drone will that to be banned or is it just paranoia for small crafts and not large craft under state control. Are they banning private helicopters and fixed wing clubs that with a mounted camera will do the same thing as this. If a security company wanted a drone to fly and record at night will that be banned. They could not afford a helicopter but could do a drone with pilot.

    Report this comment

    TJexcite  
  • Saff SGT
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:55am

    Well its good to see an elected official actually do as the voters ask… Drones can be demolised by Citizens if the have the Guts we dont have to live under these actions. read the constitution and Bill of rights. get some balls and fight these Commie bastards

    Report this comment

    Saff SGT  
  • AbrahamsSheepdog
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:50am

    I can see why all the $ waisted on rechargable battery & solar tech

    Report this comment

    AbrahamsSheepdog  
  • Inform
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:50am

    Can you believe how far our country has gone? Could you imagine the founding fathers of this country seeing the privacy intrusions of today?

    Report this comment

    Inform  
  • HOOT_OWL
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:42am

    It a shame this country has deteriorated to the point it has .
    I can see where these ‘small drones’ could be beneficial in a range of examples,
    including fire and rescue and save lives in the right hands.
    Ona side note..I want one : {(

    Report this comment

    HOOT_OWL  
    • booger71
      Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:50am

      I would love to have one too. I wonder what the flight time is on one of these.

      Report this comment

      booger71  
  • skippy6
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:41am

    Good to see a politician with a backbone……

    Question…………..If that drone hovers over your house can you take it out of commission…

    Report this comment

    skippy6  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:52am

    all of the shenanigans of our government must be exposed and terminated

    http://www.eastbayexpress.com/SevenDays/archives/2013/02/08/oakland-bomb-plot-raises-questions-of-entrapment

    Report this comment

    soybomb315_II  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:51am

    I didn’t take the time to see if he had an ‘R’ or a ‘D’ beside his name because it doesn’t matter,anyone taking a stand against the police state is okay.

    Report this comment

    progressiveslayer  
  • OUTLAW_WEALTH
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:50am

    HARRELL says about the mayor, “He has no plan”.

    what a cockeyed harebrain. The plan is to return the federal goods and make do with your own, without intruding on the rights of the people. Sounds like a plan to me.
    I hope Harrell loses by a landslide.

    Report this comment

    OUTLAW_WEALTH  
  • OUTLAW_WEALTH
    Posted on February 9, 2013 at 10:46am

    There ought not to BE any federal grants for ANYTHING. Market distortion and misallocation happens due to central planning interference.

    This mayor did the right thing. I wish we could get all the cities and States to run their own affairs, in a fiscally responsible way, instead of pooling their resources through a fat cat middleman who skims his portion and redistributes the dregs. We would all be better off being responsible for ourselves than being bought.

    Report this comment

    OUTLAW_WEALTH  
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