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Commissioners table proposed Muncie police drone installation pending federal/airport coordination and privacy review
Summary
After discussion of scope and public concern about surveillance, county commissioners voted to table a request from Muncie Police to install a semi-permanent drone system on the county building roof until questions about federal coordination and operations are answered.
Delaware County commissioners voted March 2 to table a proposal by the Muncie Police Department to install a semi-permanent drone mounting system on the county building roof, citing unresolved questions about coordination with federal authorities and public concern over surveillance.
A county representative described the proposed installation as a ballasted, non-penetrating mounting system that the city would install and maintain; the system was trialed previously. Commissioners and a few callers expressed uncertainty about whether federal aviation/airport administrators had been consulted. "I don't know if they talked to the federal administration at the airport," one commissioner said, noting the need to check federal guidelines.
Public commenter Eric Yenser raised questions about how the drone would be used and voiced privacy concerns, asking the board to ensure systems are limited to traffic and crime response rather than broad surveillance. After discussion, a motion to table the drone installation until staff and counsel can gather more information and address coordination/oversight concerns passed by unanimous roll call.
No agreement was made about operational rules, data retention, or future approvals; commissioners said those details should be addressed before any installation proceeds.
