Some worry the drone could be used for spying on residents.

the department to continue using the drone without the oversight body’s guidance.

Some resistance stems from the department’s purchase of the drone without seeking public input first.

Prompted by a recommendation from some on the oversight panel, the department created an online survey last month — announced in a news release and on the department’s social media pages — asking whether respondents supported use of a drone in certain high-risk operations and for other comments on the aircraft.

Based on 3,054 responses, the department issued a statement Wednesday saying that “89% of the general public favor use of LASD’s unmanned aircraft system.”

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continues to be open to the commission’s recommendations and has maintained transparency and a willingness to listen to the public and reassess throughout the process,” the department said in a statement. The use of the drone is “strictly controlled by detailed policies which are constitutionally and legally sound and are within compliance of all Federal Aviation Administration regulations.”

Hamid Khan of Stop LAPD Spying, who helped lead the campaigns against the LAPD’s drones and has been a vocal presence at the Sheriff Civilian Oversight meetings, said he was pleased that a majority of commissioners came out against the use of drones, but said the decision “leaves things in limbo” because the devices can still be deployed.