St. Paul City Council votes against expanding police drone program amid safety concerns
The St. Paul City Council decided on Wednesday not to expand the police force's drone program.
The city council cited community concerns about survelliance abuse and who can access the footage.
"This council does not support an expansion of our drone program until a number of questions and concerns are addressed," St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker said at Wednesday's meeting.
Police argue the flying first responders make it safer for officers and speed up response time.
St. Paul's drone vote comes days after a race to rescue a child struggling in a city pond. Police launched a drone after someone spotted the child Monday afternoon.
They say the drone got there first and was able to show officers exactly where to go. One officer waded into the water and got the child safely to shore. Family members told police the child has autism and wandered away without them realizing it.
The department needed the council's approval to use federal funding to expand their drone program with Skydio.
In July, the Minneapolis City Council voted down a contract with Skydio after critics claimed it worked with the Israel Defense Force and council members said the company works with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. WCCO reached out to the company for comment.
