In recent weeks, the cities of Dearborn, MI and Warren, MI have launched Drone-as-First-Responder programs. In Dearborn, a drone can now reach a 911 call in under 3 minutes. In Warren, the police and fire departments are using drones to scout house fires, crime scenes, and in missing-person searches.

Police chiefs call it a game-changer. But more surveillance and more data come with increased risks and erode privacy and anonymity in public spaces. Are the tradeoffs worth it?

 Drone researcher and author Arthur Holland Michel joined The Metro to discuss. He founded the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College and wrote the book "Eyes In the Sky: The Secret Rise of Gorgon Stare and How it Will Watch Us All."