Graham County approves using RICO funds to reimburse Thatcher PD for drone purchase

The Graham County Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 2 to reimburse the Town of Thatcher for half the cost of a new law-enforcement drone using funds from county RICO (forfeiture) accounts.

County Attorney Scott Bennett told the board the request came after Thatcher Detective Carter and members of the county task force reported the department’s current drone had deteriorated battery life and reduced capability. “The advantages of a drone are not only surveillance, but what I’d really like to focus on is ... officer safety,” Bennett said, citing a recent incident in which a drone was used to check on a potentially suicidal person in a vehicle.

Bennett said the change in RICO collections has reduced available forfeiture revenue compared with earlier years and that he reserves RICO spending for high-priority uses. The board discussed cost and cooperation; one supervisor estimated the drone would cost “like $3,500,” and Bennett said the proposal is to reimburse Thatcher 50% of the purchase price. Bennett said Detective Carter, who is part of the county task force, has agreed to respond to calls countywide when needed.

The board approved the reimbursement motion. The vote was announced as unanimous: “Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion passes.”

Clarifying details: the motion authorized reimbursement of 50% of the drone cost; the transcript includes a board member’s comment estimating the drone price at about $3,500 (amount characterized in the meeting as approximate). The county attorney described RICO funds as money forfeited and seized in criminal prosecutions, not tax revenue.

The board did not specify a vendor or maximum dollar cap in the minutes; those procurement details were not discussed on the record at the meeting.

The board’s action is intended to allow Thatcher PD to buy a replacement drone and share that capability with other local agencies as needed.