CBP’s Predator Drone Flights Over LA Are a Dangerous Escalation

The recent news that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is conducting Predator drone flights over Los Angeles is deeply concerning. These drones are typically used for surveillance along the US-Mexico border, not in major cities like LA.

This escalation of domestic surveillance raises serious questions about privacy rights and the militarization of law enforcement. The use of Predator drones in civilian airspace could set a dangerous precedent for expanding government surveillance without oversight.

Furthermore, the deployment of these drones in urban areas like Los Angeles raises the risk of unintended consequences, such as crashes or privacy violations. Without proper safeguards in place, the use of Predator drones in domestic airspace is a recipe for disaster.

CBP’s justification for these flights, citing the need to support other law enforcement agencies, is not sufficient. The potential benefits do not outweigh the risks to privacy and civil liberties that come with using military-grade surveillance technology in civilian settings.

It is essential that lawmakers and the public demand transparency and accountability from CBP regarding these drone flights. Without oversight, we risk sliding further down a slippery slope towards a surveillance state.

Ultimately, the use of Predator drones over Los Angeles represents a dangerous escalation in the militarization of law enforcement and the erosion of privacy rights. It is crucial that we push back against this overreach and ensure that our fundamental freedoms are protected.

As concerned citizens, we must remain vigilant and voice our opposition to the use of military drones in domestic airspace. Our rights and liberties depend on it.