I wake up every morning with a familiar buzzing sound near my window - a drone operated by the NYPD. For many living in this area, this has become a daily intrusion, infiltrating the peace and security of our homes - supposedly our safe havens. Given the intrusive nature of these drones, it amounts to an invasion of our privacy, a breach of our civil liberties.

Statistics from the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College demonstrate that drone use by law enforcement has skyrocketed over the past decade. The number of law enforcement agencies with drones has more than doubled from 2016 with an estimate of at least 910 state and local police, sheriff, fire, and emergency departments nationwide having drones. The majority, 599 agencies, fall under local police. Looking at this trend, our city could soon look like a scene from a dystopian, surveillance-obsessed society if we don't act now.

We must remind the policymakers that alongside technological advancements, the fundamentals of personal privacy still stand strong. It’s time to urge our legislators to intervene and prohibit the use of drones by the NYPD near residential windows, to preserve the privacy we all are entitled to. It's imperative we stand for our rights and the rights of those around us. I urge you to sign this petition and demand the NYPD’s drone activity undergo stricter regulations, particularly in residential areas.