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Council approves Pasco County unmanned-systems task-force agreement to expand drone cooperation
Summary
The New Port Richey council approved a memorandum of agreement to join the Pasco County Unmanned Systems Task Force, allowing the city to pool drone capabilities with the sheriff’s office for emergencies, events and search-and-rescue at no immediate budget cost.
The council on March 18 approved a memorandum of agreement with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office to join a county-wide Unmanned Systems Task Force, enabling the New Port Richey Police Department to share and access county drone assets for emergency response, public-safety operations, parades and missing-person searches.
Police Chief Cochin introduced the agreement and said the Pasco Sheriff's unmanned-systems unit has "phenomenal" capabilities and that joining would give the city access to advanced equipment, expert training and operational coordination without a budget impact. "I will give sheriff Nacho absolute kudos," the chief said, describing the county program's capabilities demonstrably used during recent large events.
Council members supported the measure, describing it as a low-cost way to improve public-safety resources and regional coordination. The city attorney reviewed the agreement as to form and staff recommended approval.
The council approved the memorandum; staff will implement operational details through the police department as appropriate.
