Over objections, Alameda County sheriff buys two drones

This year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a measure that would limit local law enforcement’s use of drones.

Now, two new drones are coming to Brown’s hometown.

Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern said his department has acquired two unmanned vehicles that will hover over the East Bay during emergencies. Last year, Ahern asked Alameda County Board of Supervisors to use county taxpayer money and a federal Homeland Security grant to become the first California jurisdiction to acquire a drone, but he abandoned the effort amid vocal opposition from privacy groups.

Ahern announced this week that he has dipped into his own budget to buy the drones.

It could be used as a lifesaving tool in the more rural areas of Alameda County," Supervisor Scott Haggerty told the Mercury News. "The sheriff is an elected official and he needs to stand by his decision. He's weighed it out and decided this is something he should do."

Your move, ACLU...