Perry council authorizes police to buy grant-funded drone that will integrate with donations
Loading...
Summary
Council approved using a $25,000 FDLE grant to buy a drone and allowed purchase from the donor's manufacturer to ensure software compatibility with two donated older drones; council voted unanimously.
The City of Perry council voted Oct. 28 to authorize police to purchase a drone using a $25,000 Florida Department of Law Enforcement grant and to buy the same manufacturermodel so donated drones and software would interoperate.
Police said they were awarded $25,000 for the purchase and that they expect two additional older drones to be donated; staff requested permission to procure the same model so software, fleet-management and infrared systems would be compatible rather than buying different systems that would not integrate. The chief told the council the recommended purchase would come in under the grant amount.
Councilmember action: A motion to proceed was made and seconded. The roll call recorded Councilman Barnes, Councilman Hampton, Councilman Woodcock and other members voting in the affirmative.
Use and limitations: Police staff described typical public-safety uses such as search for missing people, crash scene overhead photography, heat-signature detection and limited crowd overwatch during festivals. The chief noted a search warrant would be required for targeting surveillance of people on private property, but that the department would use the technology for searches, scene documentation and support for other departments when appropriate.
Why it matters: Grant-funded equipment expands the departmentcapabilities for incident response and investigative support without requiring a larger city budget allocation at this time.
