Seattle mayor scraps police department’s drone program after strong public opposition

Following public opposition to drone use in Seattle, city mayor Mike McGinn has decided pull the plug on a plan to let the Seattle Police Department begin use of two drones it purchased through a federal grant. In a brief statement, the mayor said he cancelled the drone program so that the Seattle police “can focus its resources on public safety and the community building work that is the department’s priority.” The police’s drones were 3.5-pound Draganflyer X6 six-rotor helicopters that could be equipped with either a camera for 1080p video and stills or a thermal sensor. They will be returned back to the manufacturer.