Increased drone surveillance of illegal July 4th fireworks led to $100K fine
Summary
Ars Technica reports on the growing use of drone surveillance by police and fire departments during Independence Day 2026, including a $100,000 fine in Sacramento. The article highlights how drones are deployed to deter illegal fireworks, count devices, and identify enforcement targets, while noting regulatory and privacy implications and a broader trend of drones as a public-safety tool.