ST. LOUIS — Washington D.C. faith-based film company SMS Novel wants to use drone surveillance to curb crime in St. Louis.
CEO Jomo Johnson, said the goal of the 'SMS Novel Security Drone Beta-Testing' is to select locations conducive to this beta test. Los Angeles, Memphis and St. Louis were picked.
Johnson explained the Gravois Park neighborhood in south St. Louis was chosen because it has a unique trend in violent crime and a historic connection to the city.
The beta test website noted the research journal is dedicated to Emily Valentine, a fifteen-year-old who was shot and killed in the Gravois Park neighborhood in March 2023.
According to St. Louis Metropolitan Police numbers, there were seven homicides in 2023 in the Gravois Park neighborhood.
The trial for the surveillance drone beta test was set to run from Jan. 29 through Feb. 13. From 2-6 p.m. on those days, residents could check in for free.
Johnson told 5 On Your Side his goal is to prevent crime by recording footage and monitoring and livestreaming activities.
He also said they are testing the system to alert police.
Johnson added, there's already an app to book drones for security and said it would work similarly to Uber.
The website said initial findings from the beta test indicate a reduction in reported incidents, improved community collaboration, and enhanced law enforcement response times.
Once the trial ends, he said he'd share results with the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and residents.
Johnson said beyond doing films, he realized their equipment could do some good, and with the increasing crime rates, he realized film could be a way to deter and deflect crime.
According to the company's website, Johnson's journey was shaped by a tragic event from his childhood.
It read, "Witnessing the profound consequences of my father's choices, when he tragically shot my mother, instilled within me a deep sense of awareness regarding the power of choice and the need for enhanced protection."
Surveillance concerns
On Tuesday, the city of St. Louis got involved by sending a cease and desist to the CEO.
The letter said, "To fly a commercial drone over the city’s right of way and parks, you will need to obtain a board of public service permit. Until that permit is obtained you will need to cease and desist immediately at the order of the President of the Board of Public Service."
In response to the cease and desist letter, Johnson wrote, "We will not abide to any notice that contradicts federal and state filming laws."
Gravois Park resident Jacob Lyonfields pushed for this action and created a petition with other neighbors.
Lyonfields explained the petition has received more than 200 signatures with a third being Gravois Park residents.
The Gravois Park Neighborhood Association said they opposed the idea.
Lyonfields believes there's been a lack of communication.
"Whether it's public engagement, protecting civil liberties, hearing concerns about real public safety in our neighborhood, this guy has been absent. If this guy was concerned about curbing crime in St. Louis, then he should come to us with what we actually need and that's investment in our people," Lyonfields added.
Even though Lyonfields finds the drone idea unfavorable, he admitted it shines a light on a bigger issue.
"It's brought to light the gaps in our local laws. We want to make sure that we get the critical investments in our neighborhood that make us safer," Lyonfields said.
The Gravois Park Neighborhood Association met Tuesday evening to discuss their concerns.
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier shared a preview to a bill she plans to propose that will close loopholes, and Alderman Shane Cohn endorsed it.
Cohn told 5 On Your Side, "I have not been consulted or in contact with this private entity. Since seeing the story, I have reached out to city officials to see if they’ve been in contact with anyone in city government. To my knowledge, they don’t have any type of authorization or permit to proceed, but I am looking into this further. A private entity charging citizens to utilize/watch vigilante drone footage is ridiculous, and does nothing to deter crime, and only sacrifices citizen’s liberty at the hand of ill-fated security measures."
5 On Your Side reached out to police asking if the company has reached out to the department.
A spokesperson said, "To my knowledge, no, they have not."