(AP) -- MONROE, N.C. - Monroe City Council has approved buying a drone for the police department.
The council voted this week to spend $44,000 in drug forfeiture funds to buy a battery-powered mini-drone with a rotating infrared camera.
City officials say detailed policies will be in place before they use the drone. Officials expect to use it at crime scenes, in searches or in case of natural disasters.
Councilwoman Margaret Desio says she understands the concerns of citizens who don't want the drone flying over their homes.
American Civil Liberties Union chapters in North Carolina and 22 other states filed public records requests Thursday asking police agencies to explain how they are using drones.
The requests in North Carolina include police departments in Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Gaston, Mecklenburg and Union counties.
(Copyright ©2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
