Council approves French Quarter drone funding despite widespread public opposition

The City Council on Thursday voted to permit the French Quarter Economic Development District (FQEDD) to reallocate previously approved district funds toward a New Orleans Police Department drone program and related expenditures, despite vociferous public opposition over privacy and transparency.

What passed: The council considered two companion measures (ordinance calendar 35,450 and 35,451) that, together, move and appropriate funds the FQEDD had previously directed for public‑safety purposes. Council counsel clarified these ordinances do not create new district revenue but place already‑appropriated district monies into the correct accounts so the drone program can be implemented. Both measures passed on council votes recorded in the chamber (each vote recorded as four yays and two nays with one member absent at various calls).

Public objections: Dozens of residents, privacy advocates and organizers pressed the council to reject the funding. Testimony focused on the program’s transparency gaps, incomplete flight logs, potential for mission creep and the risk that footage could be shared with federal agencies. Speakers cited internal drone logs the public had reviewed, asserted that most flights lacked clear justifications, and urged the council to invest in neighborhood‑based safety programs instead.

Representative quotes: “We don’t need any more surveillance,” Enziki Wilts said during public comment. Organizer Alex Shish told the council, “there has been so little transparency throughout this entire process,” and called for full disclosure of private contributions and flight logs. Bruce Riley summarized the public concern with historical context, warning that expanded surveillance risks civil‑liberties harms.

Council response and legal/technical context: Council attorneys and staff noted the FQEDD is the fiscal sponsor for the funds and that state law limits how the council may reallocate district money — the ordinances are a procedural step to put district funds into the accounts needed for the NOPD’s stated uses. Council members and staff signaled they would press the district for more transparency and work to ensure public reporting requirements are met going forward.

Outcome and next steps: With the ordinances adopted, the FQEDD can proceed to spend funds on the drone program subject to the district’s own procurement and reporting rules; council members and critics said they will continue to press for clearer reporting, independent audits of flight logs and stricter public‑record requirements for the district.

Speakers quoted (selected):
“There has been so little transparency throughout this entire process.” — Alex Shish, public commenter.
“Please do not give funding to drones for the police. They violate our privacy and are likely to be abused by federal agencies.” — online commenter Tiffany French (read into record).

Authorities: Ordinance calendar 35,450 (revenue appropriation) and 35,451 (expenditure appropriation) were adopted by recorded vote; the French Quarter Economic Development District’s prior budgetary approvals are the origin of the funds now being reallocated.