Aerial surveillance plan moves one step closer to reality in St. Louis
On Friday, by a slim margin of 15 to 14, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen endorsed the program, directing it to the mayor s desk for final approval Author: Jasmine Payoute (KSDK) Updated: 5:33 PM CST January 23, 2021
ST. LOUIS A controversial program that uses aerial surveillance to help fight crime could be coming to St. Louis.
On Friday, by a slim margin of 15 to 14, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen endorsed the program, directing it to the mayor s desk for final approval.
The measure uses an Ohio based company to fly airplanes over the city in hopes of tracking suspects.
St. Louis Public Radio
Members of the Public Safety Committee of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, along with supporters and opponents of an aerial surveillance program, participate in a video conference meeting of the committee on Tuesday.
A controversial aerial surveillance program has cleared its first hurdle at the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.
The board’s Public Safety Committee voted 6-1 Tuesday to endorse a three-year contract with Ohio-based Persistent Surveillance Systems.
“The stated goals, quite frankly, of the bill and of the agreement is justice for victims and their families,” said Alderman Tom Oldenburg, D-16th Ward, the sponsor of the legislation. “2020 was the most violent year we have seen in 50 years. We have to immediately have an active plan that will enhance our existing technology to bring more justice to those 262 families and all of those who have fallen victim to homicide and other violent crimes.”
Baltimore Police threatened to end spy plane program in November, claiming disturbing leaks of information baltimoresun.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from baltimoresun.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.