This is more than merely another “police obtaining drones” article. The drones the LAPD received are being given away because the citizens of Seattle refused to let their police force use them. It remains to be seen whether Los Angelos will also reject their use. It is also noteworthy that the LAPD, avoided the word ‘drone’ even as the word reaches common usage for almost any kind of unmanned vehicle – a sign of their awareness of how unpopular police surveillance can be.