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Utica police accept $250,000 state enhancement grant to buy tasers, drone and forensic equipment
Summary
The Utica Police Department notified council that it was awarded a $250,000 FY2026 state one-time enhancement grant (sponsored by Rep. Ron Robinson) to fund tasers, a drone, ballistic panels/shields, a 3D laser scanner and a TrueNarc field drug identifier; the council voted to accept the application and funding.
The Utica City Council on Feb. 10 accepted the police department’s report that it had been awarded a $250,000 state enhancement grant for FY2026. The grant — described in the packet as sponsored by Representative Ron Robinson — will fund equipment purchases including remaining taser costs, a drone, ballistic panels and shields, a 3D laser scanner for crash and crime scene documentation, and a TrueNarc field narcotics identifier.
City staff said the department had a short two-week application window and filed the application prior to the meeting. Council moved to accept the grant application and authorization to proceed; the motion carried unanimously. The department did not provide a specific delivery timetable for equipment procurement at the meeting.
Councilors asked a brief procedural question about timing; staff replied they did not yet have a firm date for when grant funds will arrive. The acceptance authorizes staff to proceed with application filing and subsequent procurement steps within grant rules and city purchasing policy.
