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Council approves drone "first responder" pilot despite privacy concerns; report due after May 15
Summary
Council approved funding for overtime tied to a 30-day pilot that uses police drones as first responders. Council members pressed for data and community input; one member voted no citing privacy and process concerns.
Rochester City Council voted to approve a budget amendment and appropriation to fund overtime associated with a pilot program to use police drones as first responders.
The public-safety committee brought the measure forward; the vote on Introductory 124 passed in a roll call after extended debate. Council member Stanley Martin announced he would vote no, citing concerns raised by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the lack of a formal community input process and written policy. Martin said he was also troubled that the pilot began April 1 before council had signed off on the funding.
Council member Willie J. Lightfoot Sr., chair of the Public Safety Committee, and other supporters described the pilot as limited…
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