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First, the police can often get a warrant very quickly (like, an hour) in am emergency.

Second, there are some exceptions in the case of an immediate threat of harm or destruction of evidence.

But if you have time to get and fly the drone, you probably have time to, in parallel to planning the observation -and your likely response- to get a warrant as well.

That's always the crux of it isn't it? Safety vs privacy exist in a tradeoff space together, and where you want the government to be is going to depend a lot on your values.

I think in your scenario the phrase they'd use is "probable cause", having which allows them to eg. enter the premises vs. have to come back with a warrant.

No. The right to privacy should be inviolable. This is no different than the state trying to shove client side CSAM scanning on everyone. "Think of the theoretical children" / "think of the theoretical slaves" doesn't move the needle.

I don't know how to square this with satellite imagery, etc. But intentional surveillance from the sky is pretty messed up.