San Francisco Police Deploy Drone Surveillance After 24-Year Break

San Francisco officials said Tuesday that the police are actively using drone technology, marking the first time in 24 years that police have had air support.

Police Chief William Scott said during a press conference that the department has deployed six drones in the past few months. The drones were purchased in May and cost $35,000.

This initial phase of the department’s drone program follows the passage of Proposition E in March. The measure allows SFPD to utilize drones and other surveillance technology, and it rolls back the city’s 2019 ban on the use of facial recognition technology.

While city officials said the drones are a “game changer” for the police department, some criminal justice experts and privacy advocates have pointed out concerns.

“It sort of comes up against the public square threshold for which you can reasonably expect to be observed by the state and potentially recorded by the state because drones are less visible than crime cameras,” said Jack Glaser, a professor of public policy at UC Berkeley. “Most people aren’t really aware of them and thinking about them, and yet [the cameras are] recording them.”

Glaser warned that if not used correctly, the technology could invade privacy and that the drones’ capacity could exasperate the over-policing of marginalized communities. He said that it’s fairly unsurprising that San Francisco is implementing the technology on the heels of the recall of former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin in 2022 and amid the “doom loop” rhetoric contributing to a perception of increased crime in the city.

“I think when people are concerned about crime, they get more tolerant of invasive, intrusive actions by law enforcement,” he said.

Drones will be used to quicken response time, improve situational awareness and precision and help avoid unnecessary police chases, according to Scott. He and Mayor London Breed said they believe the technology will further reduce crime, which was down significantly in 2024.

“This is truly a force multiplier, and in light of all of our staff shortages, this could not have come at a better time,” Scott said at the press conference.

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who also spoke at the press conference, confirmed that she has filed charges in multiple auto burglary cases because of drones.

“San Francisco has been far behind the curve in having the technology that we need to curb crime,” Jenkins said.

Some opposition groups have argued that the city’s use of drones violates California state law AB 481, which requires cities to go through a public approval process before acquiring items considered “military equipment.” Scott said the department believes it is in accordance with state law.

The drones are not being used for surveillance purposes and can only be activated in response to police incidents. Footage is stored for up to 30 days before being deleted if not tied to a crime, Scott told reporters. Breed said the department is also increasing other surveillance technology and license plate scanners.

The police department has plans to purchase 22 more drones, along with peripheral equipment and software, for an additional $324,000 this year, according to police records.