Clarifying over the alleged misuse of one of the spy planes that flew over Dearborn, early this year, the Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James Comey, said that planes were meant only for watching criminals and spies..

“We do not use planes for mass surveillance. Many citizens feel reason to distrust the FBI because of their religious or ethnic background. We have a small number of airplanes. I wish we had more,” he said.

Comey’s statements were recorded before House Judiciary Committee that has been appointed to look at the nitty-gritty of the case. The Chief was bombarded with a series of questions during the hearing.

The question pertaining to the spy planes was shot by US Representative, John Conyers, D-Detroit. The issue came to light in August this year, where the residents of Dearborn took offense to a flight repeatedly taking rounds of the area. The residents constitute about 40% of those from the Middle Eastern origin.

Following the uproar, the then-special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit field office, Paul Abbate, held a meeting with Arab-American leaders overt the issue.

During the hearing, Comey went to explain that planes were the only and best resort to keep track of the criminals in places where cars and other vehicles failed to deliver.

The other represetivates of the committee grilled the FBI chief over issues pertaining to cyber security and cyber terrorism.