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Council approves $775,000 drone first-responder program amid privacy questions
Summary
Council approved a five-year, sole-source drone first-responder program not-to-exceed $775,000 funded through federal forfeiture; police chief highlighted officer safety, operational uses, training and FAA waivers while councilors raised privacy and coverage questions.
The Taylor City Council voted to approve a five-year drone first-responder program with a sole-source provider in a contract not to exceed $775,000, funded through federal forfeiture capital outlay.
Taylor's police chief described operational benefits, including rapid deployment, infrared/thermal imaging, live streaming and the ability to dispatch drones to confirm incidents without immediately sending officers. "We believe this money is very well spent," the chief said, stressing officer safety and reduced risk during dangerous calls. The chief also described non-police uses (water-main breaks, auto crashes, park checks) and said the program includes FAA waivers and training; he reported the two proposed drones would cover about 96% of the city under current FAA distance limits.
Council members questioned privacy and record retention. The chief said the drones would be recorded and that launch and usage would be tracked; he offered to provide reports on deployments. After questions about training, coverage, and whether recordings could be used in prosecution, the council moved and approved the program on a voice vote.
The motion authorizes procurement and directs staff to finalize contract terms consistent with the funding source; the chief said some program revenue details must be discussed offline because forfeiture-related amounts cannot be disclosed in open session.
