Sound Off On LAPD's Drone Proposal At Westwood Meeting

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department will host four community meetings on Wednesday to seek public input on a proposed pilot program to deploy drones as a crime-fighting tool.

"The one-year program would use a small Unmanned Aerial System -- otherwise commonly known as a small drone -- in limited tactical situations," an LAPD statement said.

"The proposed pilot program will be for a period of one year and will be monitored by the Board of Police Commissioners," police said. "At the end of the pilot program, the usefulness of the (drones) will be evaluated to determine if a permanent program should be put into place."

All members of the public may attend the meetings and provide input. The meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at these locations:

-- Marvin Braude San Fernando Valley Constituent Service Center, 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys;

-- Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles;

-- Peck Park Recreation Center, 560 North Western Ave., San Pedro; and

-- Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Westwood.

Community members who are unable to attend the meetings may send their comments via email to SUAS@lapd.online; or by mail at Los Angeles Police Department Office of Special Operations, SUAS Pilot Project, P.O. Box 30158, Los Angeles, CA 90030

City News Service; Photo: Photo: Public Domain