Vermont police are using drones more than ever. Here's what that means

Catherine Crump — a University of California, Berkeley clinical law professor who specializes in privacy and surveillance — says that’s because drone technology has become more sophisticated in recent years, and the public’s concern over crime has risen.

“Concern, by the way, even though crime rates nationally are going down. But nonetheless, drones and other surveillance technology generally are thought to be a potential answer to this," Crump said. "So yeah, it's definitely part of a national trend."