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Canton council adopts drone-as-first-responder program with no-cost first year
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Summary
Canton City Council voted 12-0 to adopt an ordinance contracting with Brink Drones via Motorola Solutions to establish a Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) program. The city will trial the program at no cost for the first year; continuing service would cost about $99,997 for the remaining years of a four-year contract.
Canton City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance establishing a Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) program, approving a contract with Brink Drones via Motorola Solutions that includes a one-year, no-cost trial and an estimated $99,997 cost for the remaining three years of a potential four-year agreement.
The council adopted Ordinance 21 after a presentation explaining the program would include one station-based system and two patrol drones. A police department representative told council, “The DFR program involves deployment of a drone for priority calls for service providing real time visual information to the officers before they arrive.”
Chief Gabbard, who answered technical questions during the presentation, described operational limits and capabilities: the drones carry cameras and, he said, “they have the ability to carry something like naloxone or, like, in search and rescue applications.” He emphasized the machines “don’t fire anything” when asked about weapons.
Council members asked about endurance and hardware. The chief said larger units can fly about 45 minutes to an hour, while smaller patrol units typically stay aloft 30–45 minutes and may be deployed from vehicles. He also explained that the quote covers software updates and repair coverage: “any updates, any software updates, those are all included in that price of the annual cost for 3.”
Council and staff discussed funding: presenters said Motorola Solutions is underwriting the first year as part of a partnership, and staff said they are pursuing grants to cover ongoing costs. The ordinance was adopted as an emergency measure by roll call (12 ayes).
The measure directs the mayor or public safety director to enter the contract, and council members said the program could provide faster situational awareness on priority calls while noting the city will remain mindful of privacy and operational policies.
The council recorded no public protest during the final vote; the program will begin with the one-year trial and return to council or staff for budget and contract decisions if Canton opts to continue under paid years.