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Police chief frames 2027 budget around personnel, technology and crime declines
Summary
Chief Aaron Goldstein told the Fond du Lac City Council that nearly 88% of the police department budget supports personnel, presented crime reductions and announced a planned drone first-responder program and continued use of ALPR technology with transparency safeguards.
Chief Aaron Goldstein presented the Fond du Lac Police Department's proposed 2027 budget and framed it around staffing, community programs and targeted technology investments. He told the council the department is composed of 79 sworn officers supported by civilian staff and that "nearly 88% of our budget is invested in people." Goldstein said that personnel spending supports officers responding to emergencies, detectives, evidence technicians and the department's training and accreditation work.
Goldstein reviewed performance data showing an overall decline in crime: "Total crime declined from 1,068 incidents in 2024 to 972 in 2025," with property crime down 12% and burglaries and motor vehicle thefts at 10-year lows. He said the department recorded zero homicides in 2025 and noted the continued operational emphasis on domestic violence and prevention. He also provided digital-evidence and records figures, including more than 4,100 evidence items processed and more than 112,000 digital evidence files in 2025.
On technology, Goldstein defended the department's use of automated license-plate reader (ALPR) tools and described a public transparency portal: "The FLAC transparency portal allows residents to see how the technology is being used, understand the safeguards in place, and review performance metrics." He said the department limits data sharing and applies review steps to ensure alerts are accurate before officers act. He also announced the department is moving from planning to implementation of a drone first-responder program and expects to launch "our 1st operational drone as a 1st responder flight later this year," subject to FAA approvals and training.
Council members asked about school-related incidents and mental-health co-response. Goldstein described the department's work with schools, school resource officers and a co-response pilot program that pairs officers and social workers. He characterized the department's mission as "people first," and emphasized accreditation and oversight as tools for accountability and improved service.
The presentation concluded with council praise for transparency and accreditation; the chief agreed to follow-up conversations about ALPR details and the drone rollout timetable.
