Residents question police drone use; council sends SUAS quarterly report to Public Safety

WORCESTER — Two residents used the public-participation period to press the council for clearer reporting and cost analysis of municipal drone use, and the City Council voted to send the Worcester Police Department’s quarterly small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) report to the Public Safety Committee.

Fred Nathan, identifying himself as a Worcester resident, said reports about drones should be made available in plain view rather than requiring residents to ask the city manager or clerk for them.

Gary Hunter, also speaking during public comment, questioned the cost-effectiveness of the city’s drone program. Hunter said the report showed the drones were used only “something like 8 times” and asked whether the city had performed a cost study or considered borrowing drones when needed instead of maintaining its own fleet.

Later in the meeting the council voted to transmit the quarterly report regarding the Worcester Police Department’s small unmanned aircraft system to the Public Safety Committee for review and oversight. The vote was approved by voice vote.

Councilors also approved transfers to Public Safety of related communications on the use of fire blankets and on the municipal response to a recent tornado, and several members publicly thanked the city’s emergency response teams for their work during the storm.

No formal policy change or budget action occurred during the meeting; staff were directed to route the sUAS quarterly report to the committee where members can request further information, including any cost studies or usage logs.