ACLU Investigating Police In Charlotte

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by Kirk Hawkins
Bio | Email | Follow: @kirkhawkins by Photographer Darnell Hart

Story Created: Mar 8, 2013 at 11:51 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 8, 2013 at 11:57 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Mini military might is on its way to the Charlotte area. The Monroe Police Department is spending 44-thousand-dollars on a drone. While Monroe Police say they won't be spying on people, the ACLU is investigating. The non-profit advocacy group filed a public records request in Monroe, Mecklenburg County and 61 other police agencies in North Carolina.

 “Local law enforcement agencies are increasingly using military equipment to conduct traditional law enforcement activities. We need to make sure these resources and tactics are deployed
only with rigorous oversight and strong legal protections," said Chris Brook, ACLU-NC's Legal Director.

"If we apply the types of rules of engagement that our soldiers have to kill enemies in Afghanistan,
in the United States, we are running way afoul of the constitution and it's protections under the bill of rights," said Southwest Charlotte Resident Bruce Carroll. Carroll is a conservative blogger emphasizing government transparency and oversight. "Our military soldiers and every military is trained to kill the enemy.  So when we start crossing those two lines we're down a very slippery slope," said Carroll.

Charlotte City Councilman Patrick Cannon is the Chairman of the city's Community Safety Committee. "I don't know that there's anything to fear per se. Technology has been something that helped us prevent the next crime from occurring," he said.

The ACLU is hoping to hear back from police across the state by the end of the month.

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