Kingsburg Public Safety Committee hears plan for police drone and camera updates, reviews town concerns and honors longtime member

The Kingsburg Public Safety Committee met Nov. 18 and approved the meeting agenda and minutes from August before moving into a broad discussion of how to allocate the committee’s limited discretionary funds.

Committee members spent the bulk of the discussion on continuing support and oversight for police technology. The committee chair said staff will be asked about seeking a budget increase for the committee, which currently receives $10,000; members recalled past increments of roughly $5,000 and urged the committee to request additional funding to keep pace with rising technology costs. The chair also confirmed the police department will present an update on its drone program and related pilot certifications at the next meeting, anticipated in February.

Several members asked for regular, ongoing reports not only on the drone pilot but also on body-worn and in-vehicle (dash) cameras so the committee can monitor how those devices are being used and whether they are delivering community benefits. "It is protection for both the public and for the officers," a committee member said of body and dash cameras. David Silva, a Kingsburg resident and alternate, told the committee "I think you guys are on to something" and urged the police to provide regular updates similar to the quarterly reports the fire chief gives to the Kingsburg Healthcare District.

Committee members and a resident cited a specific example where dashcam footage settled a traffic dispute: after video review a motorist apologized for running a stop sign. Members said that sort of clarity illustrates how the technology can assist both officers and the public.

The committee also heard a community concern about a tree on Draper Street that had been struck and had protective fencing damaged. Residents questioned whether the tree’s placement—adjacent to a bike lane—created a safety issue. Committee members said the city engineer had reported Draper Street is wide and that the main safety concern arises only when a cyclist is present and vehicles must pull partly into the bike lane to pass. Chair members noted the bike-lane decision passed the city council on a 3–2 vote.

In committee reports, a member described outreach with the school resource officer and the district on student vaping prevention. The meeting record shows the committee sponsored a vaping-awareness night for parents with district staff, the SRO and families; the assistant superintendent Rodriguez participated.

Members paused the meeting for a moment of silence to honor longtime committee member Lehi Shaleen, whom the committee said had served since the committee’s founding in 2011. A committee member also publicly thanked Chief Gideon for his years of service, saying "I think he handled it with efficiency, with professionalism, and humility, and did a great service to all the people of Kingsburg," and members noted Sean Stevens has been announced as the new chief.

The committee adjourned after the memorial.

Next steps: the police department is scheduled to return to the committee for a focused update on drones and camera systems at the next meeting; the chair said she will raise the committee’s budget request with staff.