Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mount Gilead council to consider police drone after staff to prepare legislation
Summary
Councilors and police chiefs discussed buying a police drone for search, storm assessment and wellness checks; staff were directed to prepare legislation and a supplemental appropriation for a future meeting after questions about cost and longevity.
The Mount Gilead Village Council discussed a proposal to acquire a police drone for public-safety uses and directed staff to prepare legislation and a supplemental appropriation for consideration at the next council meeting.
Chief Lakey described potential uses — finding missing children or endangered seniors, assessing storm damage, and reducing risk to officers — and said the village applied for an ODOT drone program but was not selected. He told the council the total implementation cost is "about 18,000" and that a DJI model, which many agencies use, might cost closer to $10,000–$12,000 but could be restricted by federal and state limits on foreign-made drones. He also said the purchase package would include training and certification for primary operators.
Council members pressed on longevity, battery replacement costs and shared use: the chief said typical operational life is about five years and batteries cost roughly $500 apiece. Members discussed mutual-aid arrangements with neighboring municipalities and emphasized the village would operate the drone rather than loaning the device itself. After discussion, a council member moved that staff "prepare legislation for the next meeting" rather than make an immediate purchase; the motion passed on roll call and will return as a supplemental appropriation item.
No purchase was approved at this meeting; councilors asked staff and chiefs to provide more detailed cost figures, grant-research results and usage policies ahead of a future vote.
