Camden County police drone fleet sparks NJ privacy debate
Camden County police drone fleet sparks NJ privacy debate
https://nj1015.com/camden-police-drone-issues/
Publish Date: 2026-02-04 17:49:00
Source Domain: nj1015.com
đź”´Â Camden County police have deployed the region’s largest drone fleet
đź”´ They’re funded by $430,000 in private donations from power brokers
🔴 The ACLU is sounding the alarm, warning drones could lead to unconstitutional spying
Memories from the New Jersey drone hysteria are still fresh, and now South Jersey residents are again looking up to see quadcopters flying overhead.
This time, though, the drones are definitely not aliens, commercial planes, the Pentagon, a foreign adversary, or searching for radioactive materials.
And unlike the December 2024 reports, these drones aren’t as large as SUVs. They’re as large as any remotely piloted aircraft available to the public, which are usually less than 16 inches wide.
Officials show off the drone operations center at Camden County police headquarters on Jan. 6, 2026. (CamdenCountyNJ via Flickr)
Officials show off the drone operations center at Camden County police headquarters on Jan. 6, 2026. (CamdenCountyNJ via Flickr)
Camden County police expand drone fleet with private funding
At least two of the new drones hovering over the streets in Camden County have been paid for by Democratic power broker George Norcross and NFI trucking CEO Sid Brown. Each donated $215,000. It comes as the Paterson Police Department, under the oversight of the Attorney General’s Office, expands its drone fleet.
They add to the new Camden County Police Department drone fleet, which is now nine units strong. It’s the largest drone fleet of its kind in South Jersey — a brag for local officials, but a major concern for privacy experts and locals.
Camden County officials accept $430,000 in private donations for new drones. (CamdenCountyNJ via Flickr)
Camden County officials accept $430,000 in private donations for new drones. (CamdenCountyNJ via Flickr)
As of last month, the Camden County police had 10 trained drone pilots. Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez said these drones can be used to track ATVs on city streets and stolen…
