NYPD To Use Drones To Monitor NYC Parks?

The NYPD could be exploring plans to use drones as a law enforcement tool in New York City to keep an eye on city parks and streets, according to WPIX.

Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be used for surveillance or to shoot live missiles.

In a recent email obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, an NYPD Detective in the Counterterrorism Unit asks the Federal Aviation Administration about the use of drones as a way to protect the city.

Drones have been used in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they're already being used by law enforcement in some European cities.

They have also flown in the United States, but only in restricted airspace along the borders with Mexico and Canada.

There is some concern about the invasion of privacy.

Last month, the American Civil Liberties Union issued a report about the lack of laws protecting average people from drone surveillance.

So far, no local police departments have been authorized to use them, but police departments in Houston and Miami have conducted field tests -- and New York could be next.

NYPD Reportedly Experimenting With Drones To Monitor NYC

WPIX11 - January 24, 2012 - Kerry Drew