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With Spring Break in full swing, the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) has announced plans to deploy drones to monitor crowds and enhance security efforts. The decision comes just weeks after the city launched an ad campaign discouraging visitors from flocking to Miami Beach during the busy travel season.
According to MBPD, the department will use Skydio X10 drones, advanced aerial devices capable of flying up to 45 miles per hour and tracking individuals in low-light conditions with infrared sensors. Officers say these drones provide real-time surveillance, allowing them to respond more quickly to disturbances, large gatherings, and potential criminal activity.
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner has positioned the drone deployment as part of a broader effort to curb crime and keep order during peak tourist seasons.
"People are looking at us to lead the way in safety and crime reduction," Meiner said in a recent press conference. "As we approach Spring Break, this is the perfect time to roll out these initiatives. My goal is to make Miami Beach the safest city in America, and we're on our way."
MBPD says it has already used drones for large-scale public events, including Art Basel 2023 and New Year's Eve celebrations, helping to monitor traffic congestion and assist with crowd control. With Miami Beach being the first law enforcement agency in Miami-Dade County to receive an FAA waiver to fly drones beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS), police claim this tool will be a game-changer in public safety efforts.
Despite city officials touting the drones as a necessary safety measure, the plan has drawn criticism from privacy advocates and civil rights groups who warn about the increasing use of police surveillance technology.
William Owen, a spokesperson for the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), argues that police drones are an ineffective and potentially invasive tool.
"A flying robot won’t help in an emergency, and it raises serious concerns about mass surveillance," Owen said. "This isn't just about monitoring Spring Breakers; it affects everyone who steps foot in Miami Beach."
Concerns over drone use in policing are not new. In 2023, the NYPD faced backlash for deploying drones to monitor private backyard parties during Labor Day weekend, raising alarms about overreach and lack of transparency. Critics fear that similar policies could lead to an erosion of privacy rights in Miami Beach.
As Spring Break reaches its peak, Miami Beach police will put their expanded drone program to the test, monitoring crowds along Ocean Drive, Lummus Park, and other high-traffic areas. Officials maintain that the initiative is focused solely on public safety, but concerns over civil liberties are likely to remain part of the conversation.
With more law enforcement agencies across the country turning to drones for policing, the debate between safety and surveillance is far from over.