Stuart commission authorizes application for state-funded drone replacement for police

The City Commission authorized Resolution No. 100-2025 allowing the police department to apply to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for funding under the fiscal-year drone replacement program to replace Chinese-made drones with non-Chinese equipment. The resolution provides authorization to apply and to execute any agreement if funds are awarded.

City Manager Mike Mortel and staff explained the program is a state grant opportunity covering 100% of the cost if awarded; no local match is required. The police chief (present at the meeting) described current uses of the department—s drones: public-gathering security, rooftop checks near parades, perimeter checks for search warrants, and missing-person searches using infrared. He said the department currently has two certified operators, several batteries per drone, and that typical flight time per battery is about 35 to 45 minutes.

Commissioners asked about privacy and autonomous —drone as first responder— programs used elsewhere. The chief said the department does not operate an autonomous first-responder drone program and that drones are operated by certified personnel.

Commissioner Clark moved approval of the resolution authorizing staff to apply for the FDLE grant; Vice Mayor Collins seconded. The motion passed unanimously on a roll-call vote by the full commission.

Commissioners discussed cost differences between inexpensive consumer-grade Chinese-manufactured drones (several thousand dollars) and law-enforcement-grade alternatives (tens of thousands of dollars), and staff noted state law prohibits use of drones for certain municipal code-enforcement purposes.