For some, the LAPD's recent acquisition of two helicopter drones is quite the exciting event. Others, however, say it's a little too "Big Brother" for comfort.

The drones were a gift from the Seattle Police Department, according to sources, who had purchased them with federal grant funds.  Each is approximately three-feet wide, they said, and can be operated through the use of a remote control.

They are also outfitted with video cameras, which can help provide a birds-eye view of the areas the drones are patrolling.

Privacy rights advocates are worried that use of these types of devices will infringe upon the rights of citizens.  They're concerned that unless the proper policies, procedures and oversights are in place, the people in charge of operating them could overstep some pretty big boundaries.

The LAPD, however, says they only plan on using them under very specific circumstances.  This may include situations involving an active shooter, a barricaded gunman or in the instance a suspect has taken someone hostage.

For them, the eyes in the sky are just another way to keep officers on the ground informed as to what's going on.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says they're not buying a word of it.  For them, the drones pose a serious threat to privacy, especially when you take into account a recent incident involving the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

Not that long ago, they flew a tiny camera-equipped airplane over Compton for several days and failed to alert residents about it beforehand.

Suffice to say, a lot of people weren't happy about that operation, and are they're equally concerned about the LAPD's latest acquisition.