NOPD releases drone use map amid calls for program suspension

The big picture: NOPD began using drones in 2024 and is working to expand its program with the use of drones as first responders in the French Quarter.

• The department has used drones to observe large public gatherings, like Mardi Gras and second-lines, as well as to respond to traffic wrecks, help track down crime suspects, and assist with rescue operations.

What they're saying: Representatives from the ACLU and Eye on Surveillance raised concerns in a City Council committee meeting Monday over what they described as the department's lack of transparency around its drone usage.

• In over 1,000 flight records between Jan. 1, 2025 and Jan. 30, 2026, 93.1% missed incident details, according to a presentation shared at the meeting.
• Of 187 flight records between Jan. 30 and March 29, 2026, none had incident details, they said.
• The groups also questioned the use cases for some of the flights that did have details, such as a drone deployment for a "homeless person blocking the sidewalk."

"Based on the potential of civil and human rights abuses, we recommend that this drone program be suspended," said Edith Romero with Eye on Surveillance.

• Though no legislation was up for discussion, Councilmember Lesli Harris appeared to take the concerns seriously.
• "This presentation emphasizes my concerns with the use of drones, including the fact that homes, courtyards, private spaces may or may not be surveilled right now by NOPD," she said. "Until we get the data, I'm with you all. We need to take a hard look at suspending this program."

The other side: NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick defended the drone program to media late Monday after the department unveiled the new dashboard and new statistics on its drone use.

• Kirkpatrick called the opponents "a minority voice," citing survey data from earlier this year that showed majority support for NOPD's use of new technology.

• "I think the voice of our community has been clear about the support of the technology," she said.

How it works: The new NOPD dashboard has a map of where and when its drones have traveled, plus the related case ID and a category for its use type.

• The NOPD's drone policy is also linked.
• See the dashboard.

What we're watching: The NOPD is due in the coming weeks to provide its first City Council-mandated drone use report.

• The new requirement, passed last month, calls for NOPD to publicly report drone deployment data, submit monthly reports to City Council, and provide quarterly drone program updates, according to the measure's author, Councilman Matthew Willard.
• "As the police department expands its use of drone technology, we have a responsibility to ensure the right guardrails are in place so the public knows how these tools are being used," Willard said in a press release at the time.