New York City is considering a new high-tech weapon in its fight against filth: drones. The city’s Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is exploring whether drones could help crack down on illegal dumping, trash left out too early, and even abandoned “ghost cars” clogging up the streets.
If given the green light, these trash-hunting drones would join the NYPD’s growing fleet of surveillance aircraft, which have already been used over 2,800 times this year to monitor protests, chase down subway surfers, and track suspects. But some critics worry that this latest expansion could take surveillance too far.
DSNY spokesperson Joshua Goodman tells Gothamist that drones could help improve the quality of life in neighborhoods plagued by litterbugs and lawbreakers.
“How does it feel when there’s trash on the same street every single day? How does it feel when there’s a ghost car parked on the same block every single day?” Goodman says. “Wouldn’t it be great if there was somebody holding people accountable who are hurting your quality of life, saying to them, ‘no, you don’t get away with dirtying these neighborhoods. You don’t get away with leaving your personal property in the parking lane indefinitely’.”
DSNY isn’t just looking at trash patrols. Goodman says the department is also exploring whether drones could assist in snow removal and even help inspect sanitation vehicles and infrastructure.
Not everyone is thrilled about the idea of drones policing garbage habits though.
Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), has blasted the proposal, calling it “garbage.”
“ It’s hard to put into words just how absurd I think it is that we’re actually talking about a litterbug air force that is going to be tasked with monitoring people from the skies to swoop in if they’re putting out garbage on the wrong day for pickup,” Cahn says.
Cahn also raises concerns about increasing surveillance in the city, noting that former DSNY commissioner Jessica Tisch — who now runs the NYPD — pushed for hidden cameras to catch illegal dumpers before making the jump to running the city’s entire surveillance operation.
Last year alone, DSNY handed out $1.5 million in fines for illegal dumping, using camera footage as evidence. With drones in the mix, some worry that even minor infractions could become ticket-worthy offenses.
Angel Lopez, who runs Lopez Family Deli Restaurant in Fort Greene, says he prefers the current system, where city inspectors issue fines in person. “Normally, there is a person who gives a ticket — an inspector who comes and checks,” Lopez says. “With a drone, anyone can throw something outside, and you don’t realize it, and they give you a ticket.”
Drones are already watching NYC
While sanitation drones would be new, the technology is already being used by other city agencies. The NYPD has been flying drones for law enforcement purposes, while the FDNY has used them to help firefighters. Even the Parks Department is set to take over a fleet of NYPD drones to monitor sharks and drowning risks at city beaches by 2026.
Mayor Eric Adams has long championed drone technology, arguing that it can make the city safer and cleaner. Whether or not the public agrees remains to be seen.
For now, NYC’s war on trash is still grounded. But if sanitation officials get their way, New Yorkers might soon have to watch out for flying garbage cops.
More: NYPD eyes drones to tackle crime surge in Central Park
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