Syracuse Drone Program Ignites Fierce Debate on Privacy and Safety

Syracuse police’s autonomous drone rollout for every 911 call has ignited a firestorm, with 79% of locals voting no in fiery comments.

Syracuse, New York’s proposed “Drone as First Responder” program has sparked unprecedented public opposition, with 67% of community feedback opposing the Syracuse Police Department’s (SPD) plan to deploy autonomous drones for 911 calls, according to a city-published spreadsheet. As lawmakers prepare for a potential vote on Monday to approve software enabling the program, privacy concerns and distrust in police oversight dominate the debate, according to The Central Current.

Public Resistance Highlights Privacy Fears

The city’s public comment period, ending February 13, 2025, revealed deep skepticism, with 95 of 141 respondents expressing negative views on the drone program. Of the 76 city residents who provided clear feedback, 79% opposed it, citing distrust in SPD’s use of surveillance technology and its initial attempt to bypass the city’s Surveillance Technology Working Group review process.

One resident wrote, “Opposed to it. unregulated invasion of privacy. no apparent oversight, as usual, for the continued efforts of the city supporting the SPD for increased surveillance of its citizens.”

Another raised concerns about potential misuse, stating, “I am worried about potential misuse of drone data and excessive surveillance of people in public spaces. I’m concerned that drone data could be used as a tool to assist ICE & unlawful efforts to detain and deport immigrants.”

Aren Burnside, a Syracuse University doctoral student working with the Syracuse Peace Council, emphasized the tension between safety and privacy, reportedly saying:

“Communities can’t have public safety without degrees of privacy. A lot of communities, especially communities of color, have not had public safety for years and years and years, because they have had a lack of privacy from institutions like the police.”

Privacy watchdogs, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Electronic Freedom Frontier, have echoed these concerns, warning of “chilling effects” on First Amendment rights and potential privacy violations from drones equipped with high-resolution zoom and infrared cameras.

Drone Capabilities and Proposed Uses

The SPD’s $619,000 program, funded by a $250,000 city allocation and a $369,000 state grant, involves five U.S.-made drones, likely from BRINC or Skydio, equipped with zoom, horizon-facing, and infrared cameras.

The Syracuse Police Department’s $619,000 contract with Axon Enterprises, which partners with Skydio for autonomous drone solutions, makes Skydio drones the likely hardware for the ‘Drone as First Responder’ program.

These drones, launched from climate-controlled docking stations on city rooftops, would respond to 911 calls ranging from high-priority incidents like shootings (approximately 200–300 feet altitude) to low-priority issues like noise complaints.

Deputy Chief Richard Shoff compared the drones to COPS cameras, stating, “There’s a lot of apprehension at first, and then before you know it, people are not gonna be worried about the drones. They’re gonna be wondering ‘why don’t they have more?’”

Initially pitched for high-priority calls like burglaries and search-and-rescue, the program’s scope expanded after Lt. Brian Williams argued against restrictions, writing, “DFR is most beneficial to these types of calls. Should not be restricted for these.”

This shift alarmed privacy advocates like Daniel Schwarz of the New York Civil Liberties Union, who warned of “an explosion in drone flights over communities, over people’s backyards.”

Regulatory and Community Tensions

The program’s rocky path began when Central Current exposed the city’s attempt to skip its surveillance review process, prompting a reversal and public input. Despite this, councilors like Corey Williams expressed unease, noting residents expect human police presence for emergency calls.

Chol Majok, Public Safety Committee chair, prioritized safety, stating, “Everybody’s not going to be 100% on that, but we have a job to do, and that is to assure safety, right? Safety, that’s number one.”

Yet, Burnside criticized the city’s outreach, saying, “It’s just checking the box that public feedback was taken into account.”

As Syracuse nears a vote, the debate underscores a national trend: balancing drone technology’s efficiency—faster response times, reduced officer risk—against privacy risks. With 508 of New York’s 876 registered police drones in use, Syracuse’s decision could set a precedent for autonomous drone programs nationwide.