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San Francisco Police Commission advances drone usage rules
The San Francisco Police Commission voted 5-1 on October 14 to advance new rules for the San Francisco Police Department’s fleet of 98 drones. The proposed policy allows for drone use in public safety responses, active investigations, training, and community outreach, while prohibiting random general surveillance or activities protected by the First Amendment.
The draft policy stipulates that public footage will be retained for 30 days unless it is tied to an open investigation. Under the current proposal, a warrant or recognized exception is only required if an operator intentionally focuses on the interior of a home or an enclosed yard not visible from ground level.
This decision comes amid growing tension across California regarding municipal drone use. In Sonoma County, a recent settlement with the ACLU established stricter requirements, including the need for a warrant or resident consent before drones record private homes or yards, and a mandate to notify residents when surveillance has occurred. The San Francisco proposal stops short of these broader Sonoma County requirements.
Entities
ACLU of Northern California · San Francisco Police Commission · San Francisco Police Department · Sonoma County · Stop Crime SF
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Sonoma settlement requires notifying residents when a drone has surveilled their home. dronexl.co
- [● 2 SOURCES] A 2021 law mandates local board approvals for the use of military equipment, including drones. laist.com · wtop.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Sonoma County settled an ACLU lawsuit regarding drone use over private homes. dronexl.co
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Three residents in the Sonoma lawsuit each received $50,000. dronexl.co
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Proposed rules require a warrant only when focusing on the inside of a home or an enclosed yard not visible from ground level. dronexl.co
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The San Francisco Police Department operates 98 drones. dronexl.co
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The San Francisco Police Commission voted 5-1 to advance drone rules. dronexl.co
- [● 2 SOURCES] Public footage will be retained for 30 days unless tied to an open investigation. laist.com · wtop.com