Should Savage Police Use Drones?

If police use drones, then the drones that police use should have some clearly visible identifier, perhaps red and blue LEDs with a black color scheme, that shows that they're police drones and not just regular civilian drones. This way citizens can know the drones belong to police and not citizens spying on them.

I fully support the concept of the Savage Police Department using drones to support law enforcement operations.

This is an idea that I would support, as long as there was adherence to state statute 626.19 and other securities in place and the other situations mentioned.
I agree with the private funding comments here as well, I'd want to ensure we're not polarizing and politicizing safety.

Our Police and Fire should have all the tools available to provide life safety for our residents.

Drone use will be equivalent to Police wearing body cameras and vehicle cameras to record events as they happen. This tool can not only provide instant eyes on the scene for command and control, but provide evidence to be used in an investigation.

Those worried about privacy need not be concerned. The rules and control for the use of drones is very strict and specific to guarantee "Big Brother" is not watching you. Stop looking under every rock for someone spying on you and be more worried about your phone tracking everything you do, everywhere you go and everything you say. Big Brother is not watching you, Big Business has your number already.

While I'm overall neutral to negative about drones, I do think that they could be of much use especially in remote areas of the city and hard to reach areas, saving manpower and resources.

Yes definitely! It is somewhat inevitable so you may as well get going and get experience. This also give you time to work out details or issues, for when they are really needed. The private funding thing does raise some questions on who is pushing this. But either way; go for it.

1. I don’t like the idea of essential city services such as police protection being subsided by donations. Even the slightest possibility that a small shadow could be cast on the open door of accountability/transparency is too great a price to pay merely to save a few tax dollars. That is a slippery slope we can not risk traversing. Not to mention that acquisition is only part of the cost; there are the hidden costs of training, maintenance and replacement. Where will those funds come from? If a service or piece of equipment is deemed necessary, then taxes should be used to pay for it.

2. How great is the need? Is Savage a crime-ridden community that needs any and every tool it can get for law enforcement? Or are drones another ‘toy’ to give Savage bragging rights?

3. Loss of privacy is a HUGE concern for me. Many comments endorsing the use of drones condition that endorsement with qualifications. I am in the camp of those urging caution and implementing careful, thoughtful, and clear delineations of permissible use of drones. Policies need to be in place BEFORE the practice begins. We are in a time of surveillance and loss of privacy issues. Are drones going to be used to find missing persons? That’s a good thing. Are drones going to be used to gather evidence to prove the guilt of someone already presumed a criminal? That’s entirely different. Sometimes I wonder if ‘innocent until proven guilty’ has become ‘guilty until proven innocent.’

I think drones are a good way to monitor large areas and I am fine with the police getting and using drones. It is a good method to keep everyone safe.

I think drones are excellent tools for the police and fire department to utilize. It will help keep everyone safe, especially our officer's and fire fighters.

I’ve already written in once but I thought of something else… I don’t agree that the police should be accepting any private funding. Why is a private entity funding our police? What does that get the private entity? How are they benefiting? Why are they funding drones specifically? Likely to intimidate protesters and increase our surveillance state - but who knows.

The police take up the largest portion of the city budget - why do they need private funds for this? Use budgeted funds for police matters, or include it in next year’s budget.

I’m highly in favor of the Police Department and Fire Department using drones for their work. Anything that can improve the safety of police and firefighters should be considered. Drones could be used to assist in assessing a situation before deploying resources. Misuse by officers would be highly unusual and unlikely.

As it appears police drones are already being put into use by way of requisitioning them from other departments, perhaps Savage residents can review documented result reports before going into further discussion or decision making.

Take advantage of the new drone technology - it seems like the smart thing to do to improve enforcement capabilities and I have no issues with its use.

Yes, I think they would be very helpful as long as used per the law.

I am supportive as long as all laws are followed and periodic audit takes place to ensure everyone is complying with the law

I'm opposed to Drones in general for public use. I understand the practical use by emergency responders, but I'm concerned about misuse by law enforcement. If the Savage police had restricted use for emergencies only, and not surveillance, I would be in favor of it.

I'm in favor of the police acquiring drones to be used to aid surveillance as needed. The newer high tech drones can accomplish what a helicopter can provide, but at a much lower cost and they can be on scene quicker than waiting for a helicopter crew. Viewing a
scene from above has definite advantages over ground searching.
David Sibinski

Yes Savage should purchase drone(s) to aid emergency services.
Particularly in the case of search and rescue, time is of the essence and quick response is essential.
Also, the staff or user needs to practice on the equipment to gain skill.
I view the state laws governing the police use of drones as adequate.

Yes, Law Enforcement should use any means available to keep the community safe. As long as it used lawfully I see no issues with the use of drones in Savage.

Yes!! I support the use of and training of these drones. I feel like they will easily aid in responding to active situations where our officers and first responders lives could be at risk. first responder safety, scene safety, and community safety is mission critical and it’s an even easier YES when it’s not costing the taxpayers anything.
#Remember Paul, Matthew & Adam