The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) used a robot to locate a woman hiding in a ceiling at San Jose State University last week.
The SJPD responded on December 21 to reports of an alleged armed assailant in the women’s bathroom of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, which is operated jointly by the university and the San Jose Public Library system.
Police deployed a robot with a camera attached into the bathroom, where the woman was discovered hiding in the ceiling.
Officers entered the bathroom and urged the woman to come down. She eventually complied and was subsequently arrested. She was discovered to be in possession of a fake firearm, prompting police to dismiss any active threat.
The San Jose Public Library tweeted that the university location was closed for the remainder of the day.
In June, the SJPD released a comprehensive list of its military-grade equipment, as required by California Assembly Bill 481.
This state law requires every law enforcement agency to disclose which military-style gear it has and adopt specific policies on how the equipment is used. It is up to the city council to formally sign off on those policies, focusing on public accountability.
The 93-page SJPD list included a number of robots and drones designed for reconnaissance and tactical situations. None of the drones or robots are equipped with weapons chassis.
“This is equipment used not only by San Jose Police – but by other departments – to keep our community safe, to keep our officers safe, and it is the only reasonable alternative when specific situations occur,” said Police Chief Anthony Mata, according to KTVU FOX 2.
The SJPD reported the use of drones mainly for surveillance or tactical situations.
San Francisco had previously approved the use of robots for lethal operations, as reported by The Dallas Express. The weaponized drones were intended to be used as a last-resort measure.
The city’s board of advisors walked this approval back in a unanimous vote on December 6 due to public backlash, as The Dallas Express reported.
Just remember that 2A specifically states “Arms”. Not pistols, rifles etc. The Founding Fathers specifically used that term because it includes and encompasses ALL WEAPONS OF WAR. Since police are now including weapons of war in their arsenal, the people should not be limited either.
2A was NEVER about the right of self protection, but instead in all the writings and arguments of the Founding Fathers was about the ability of the PEOPLE to remove the boot of government from their neck. An imbalance of power leads to absolute corruption.
I find it very disconcerting that police believe that they require arms of war to operate. Even more so since SCOTUS has ruled that police have NO DUTY TO PROTECT, only to investigate and arrest.
The lack of investigation and arrest against government agents in Dallas School District for unlawful circumvention of bid requirements proves that there is a severe issue with priorities. Someone in police agencies had to have been informed?
That’s a good way to keep police safe.