NYPD’s High-Tech Robots Are Creeping Out New Yorkers

MAX: Technology has become a big part of policing, from gunshot detection systems to drones and body cameras. But robots roaming city streets is a whole different level. Ashley Johnson with the Washington, D.C.-based Information Technology and Innovation Foundation says it's important that officers be properly trained and that laws or policies are in place to protect people's privacy. Johnson says the cost of a lot of these technologies puts them out of reach for smaller departments.

ASHLEY JOHNSON: Is the benefit in terms of hours saved or lives saved worth the potential upfront cost?

MAX: The NYPD is spending $750,000 on its two new Digidogs and tens of thousands more to lease the StarChase and K5 devices.

JOHNSON: So it's not a very accessible technology for your average police department.