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Huntsville Council approves weekend expansion of police drone contract amid public privacy concerns
Summary
The City Council approved a modification to the police department's Skyfire AI drone contract to add weekend coverage. Supporters said drones improve first‑responder safety; several residents raised privacy and data‑retention concerns during public comment.
The Huntsville City Council on Aug. 28 approved a modification to the city’s existing agreement with Skyfire AI Inc. that expands the Police Department’s drone program to add weekend coverage.
Council members voted to authorize “modification number 1” to the contract after staff described the change as the addition of two contracted operators to cover Saturdays and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The motion was seconded and carried.
The council and police officials said the program operates as a first‑responder tool. A city staff representative speaking for the police department said the drones can provide early aerial assessment of incidents so officers arrive with…
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