The Arlington police department is the first to use unmanned aerial drones, more police stations to follow.

ARLINGTON, TX - Aerial drones that were used during the Super Bowl for security purposes will help the Arlington police keep a watchful eye over the city.

Grant money from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security brought the city's first unmanned drone for the Super Bowl, but Arlington hopes to put it to use full-time.

Arlington is the only U.S. city to have been granted a license from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly unmanned aircraft over an urban area.

"The idea is provide an extra level of public safety for the city of Arlington," City Councilman Robert Rivera said. "Any time that we can utilize progressive methods to increase our level of public safety, that's what we're doing, and that's what we're looking at."

But the use of such drones has raised questions about privacy across the country.

"Personally, I'm opposed, here in Arlington, to the drones," Kimberly Frankland said. "There is definitely an invasion of privacy factor with drones flying over and filming or recording whatever is going on down below."

"With terrorist attacks and everything else going on, I don't think it's a bad idea," Arlington resident Eric Vandervoort said.

The drone could be used to help traffic and crash investigations, as well as search-and-rescue missions.

The city is looking into finding funding to operate the drone.


Links:
http://www.wect.com/story/14579902/super-bowl-security-drone-will-remain

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Arlington-PD-Testing-Unmanned-Aircraft-124680969.html