Amid protests over the immigrant attack, the deployment of the US Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles has raised numerous hackles, including Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom.
But there’s more to the ground in Los Angeles than boots.
404 media reports use both predator drones and manned aerial vehicles such as Black Hawk helicopters.
Helicopters, including military aircraft, are often seen in the sky in Southern California, but the use of predator drones, which are primarily used for surveillance but can be armed with Hellfire missiles, can be a surprise to many.
These Department of Homeland Security drones are unarmed.
Veteran and drone expert Brett Berikovich told Fox News that drone use was “completely legal,” but as the war zone points out, “this permanent air surveillance has long been controversial, and civil rights defenders say it violates their right to privacy and undermines the constitution.”
A spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection told TWZ that drones are providing “air assistance” to federal agents, including immigration and the Customs Enforcement Agency.
“In addition, they provide officer safety monitoring when requested by officers,” spokesman John Mennell said. “[CBP] He is not engaged in First Amendment oversight. ”
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