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Santa Ana council approves police drone program in close 4–3 vote after hours of public debate
Summary
After hours of testimony and a split council debate, Santa Ana approved a contract to buy docked Skydio X10 drones and smaller deployable drones for first‑responder use; the vote was 4–3 and council members stressed safeguards, oversight and public‑records limits.
Santa Ana’s City Council voted 4–3 on Feb. 3 to approve a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the purchase and deployment of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to be used as first‑responder tools by the Santa Ana Police Department.
The approved package calls for three docked Skydio X10 drones with docking stations placed on city buildings and two smaller Skydio R10/Arc units for patrol and special‑weapons operations. Police staff said the system is intended to speed response times, provide situational awareness and reduce reliance on costly helicopter contracts. Mayor Pro Tem Penalosa moved the agreement; Mayor Mesquita seconded it. The motion carried with Councilmembers Becerra, Pham, Penalosa and Mesquita voting yes and Councilmembers Hernandez, Lopez and Vasquez voting no.
The council meeting…
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