Public commenter urges probe of MNPD drone trial, citing race and transparency concerns

A public commenter, Mannon Hall, told the Metro Human Relations Commission that Metropolitan Nashville Police Department's (MNPD) newly announced drone trial should undergo the city's surveillance-technology approval process and public review.

Hall said the flights began the week after a Friday press release and that MNPD's flight dashboard and Metro demographic reports show repeated flights concentrated in three districts that are below the county average for white residents. "They're flying over and over again across the same neighborhoods of a majority-minority area," Hall said, arguing the pattern suggests discriminatory targeting and that the city's public process was bypassed.

Commissioners pressed Hall on data and method. He cited MNPD's published flight coordinates and Metro's "Know Your Community" report for demographic baselines. Commissioners asked whether flights are tied to 911 calls and whether the drones carry cameras or live feeds; Hall said MNPD's press release and prior mayoral media comments confirm cameras are on board, and that the mayor told a local program "the cameras are not on until the drone gets to its location," a statement Hall relayed.

Hall also named a private vendor, Skyo (described in MNPD materials), and said the city's online frequently asked questions indicate video is retained according to evidence rules, with non-evidentiary footage deleted after seven days and access limited to FAA-licensed pilots, supervisors and personnel assigned to the community safety center. Commissioners noted legal exceptions that preserve data for litigation and said that the retention policy therefore cannot be treated as absolute.

Commissioners and staff said Hall raised pertinent questions about transparency, neighborhood targeting, and the lack of an obvious community-engagement process before implementation. The commission did not take formal action on the drone matter at the meeting, but members asked staff to gather additional documentation beyond city web pages and to report back.

What happens next: Commissioners said staff will follow up with Metro departments and provide the commission more detailed information on the pilot's authorizing documents, flight justifications, vendor contracts and data-retention practices.