The Baton Rouge Police Department announced this week it will begin using a drone designed by military equipment manufacturer Lockheed Martin and Edge Autonomy, making it one of the frist local police departments to use an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a history of primary use in foreign war zones. Baton Rouge is now among the first local police departments in the United States to deploy a UAV with such extensive surveillance capabilities—a dangerous escalation in the militarization of local law enforcement.
This development is troubling given the long history of local law enforcement acquiring and utilizing military-grade surveillance equipment. It serves as a cautionary tale, prompting communities across the country to proactively ensure drones are acquired and used in ways that are well-documented, clear, and subject to public feedback.
Baton Rouge purchased the Stalker VXE30 from Edge Autonomy, which partners with Lockheed Martin and began operating under the brand Redwire this week. According to reporting from WBRZ ABC2 in Louisiana, the drone, training, and batteries cost approximately $1 million.
All of the regular concerns surrounding drones apply to this new one in use by Baton Rouge:
- Drones can access and view spaces that are or else off-limits to law enforcement, including backyards, decks, and other areas of personal property.
- Footage captured by camera-enabled drones may
