Should Savage Police Use Drones?
Tell us what you think.
The Savage Police Department is thinking about buying two drones to support law enforcement operations. They’d use them for things like finding missing people, getting a bird’s-eye view during emergencies, and keeping our community safer overall. Here’s why it matters. Right now, if we need a drone, we have to wait for another agency to send one. Having our own means faster response times when every second counts.
The cost: This wouldn't come out of your taxes. We'd pay for the drones using community donations and department forfeiture funds.
What about privacy? We get it. That's a real concern. Minnesota law is pretty specific about when police can use drones without a warrant. Think life-threatening emergencies, searching for missing people, serious crash scenes, natural disasters, and keeping an eye on large public gatherings. They can also be used in public spaces when there's reasonable suspicion of a crime, for training officers, or at community events. And here's an important safeguard: per state statute 626.19, we're required to delete drone footage within seven days unless it's part of an active criminal investigation or needs to be kept for other specific legal reasons.
The bottom line? This decision affects everyone in Savage, and the city wants to hear what you think. Do you see drones as a helpful public safety tool? Do you have concerns about privacy or how they might be used? Your perspective matters
Public Comments
Good idea. No problems that I can see.
I think drone technology would be very beneficial for life-threatening emergencies, searching for missing people, and in case of natural disasters. For these reasons, I think the city should be allowed to use these tools to help Savage residents. Thank you…
I think drones would be a great tool for law enforcement. I trust police and city leaders to create and enforce guidelines for use.
Yes! Absolutely! Use whatever it takes to get crime under control! Also, use traffic cameras to stop the ridiculous, blatant traffic violations such as running red lights!
Drones seem like a wise idea.
I think it’s a great idea for the police department to have their own drones on hand. This equipment needs to be dispatched quickly to be effective and when time is of the essence. Having to wait for a unit from another city is just wasting precious time. It would also be nice to be able to utilize these for community events.
Yes within existing guidelines and restrictions.
Yes I think drones could be used for safety. I do have a slight concern about privacy. Would we be able to purchase a couple and see how they are used in real time?
Great move, and my property taxes should go towards the purchase and support. Drones are an extremely effective tool our Police and Fire should have funded.
Rather than my property taxes going to many different NGOs use it for supporting our cops and fire fighters.
Yes to drones.
Fully support their use. Can they be marked to recognize them as law enforcement related?
For the purposes stated, I think use of drones makes a lot of sense.
Fully support their use. Can they be marked to recognize them as law enforcement related?
No! Unless the city of Savage can show historically how the use of borrowed drones has enhanced its law enforcement capability for the protection of its citizens without compromising our privacy. Also, prior to implementing drone usage, the city/ police department must developed specific public policy for voter approval. The introductory question to this survey is quite vague, I resist an acceptance of this topic with such little information and without the benefit of objective analysis and discussion on the benefits and concerns to the citizens of Savage.
Drones can be very helpful when used correctly. I do have a slight concern that they will also be used to invade people's privacy. I do not trust the Government to always do the right thing, so as of now I would not want them to be used.
I'm generally in favor of using drones for public safety purposes. However, we have to maintain tight standards and local control over their use. And I feel that they should be used sparingly - I don't want to have our skies filled with them like in the movie "The Giver"(!). Transparency into their use is critical and there needs to be a good strategy for communications.
I appreciate the City of Savage engaging the community on issues like this. One of the many reasons I am proud to live here.
In principle, yes — drones could be beneficial for the right reasons. However, I have serious concerns. Is there a clear, transparent way to reassure residents that these drones will not be used to track or monitor the people of Savage? And can we guarantee that any footage collected will not be shared with ICE or other government agencies? Given the current climate, drones often feel more like an added threat than a community benefit, and strong safeguards would be essential.
I whole-heartedly endorse the use of drones by the Savage PD. They should have every tool that's practical to use in their day-to-day and emergency situations at their disposal. As a member of the Burnsville-Savage Lions Club, I am proud of our club taking a leadership role towards helping the department getting this equipment as soon as possible. I urge all service clubs and organizations that support the Police to get on board and financially back this worthwhile project. Mark Zastrow
I'm in favor. Perhaps the city could also use it for videos of Dan Patch Days, road construction progress, etc.
Yes, drones would be another tool in the toolbox to find missing children and adults, follow criminals once a high speed pursuit is deemed unsafe, watch a wildfire, etc. Of course, safeguards for potential misuse must be established and monitored by outside committee/agency.
I support law enforcement use of drones as outlined in the explanation, not so much the use by private citizens, but that is not the question. It would be helpful to have a place where residents could look to see how a drone is being used when we see one in the area (e.g. training, missing person, crime or accident investigation, etc.). I came out of my house on September 18 and there was a very large drone, similar to a very small helicopter, hovering over what was probably CR 42 and Hwy 13. I could see and hear it from my driveway. Because it was so large, I expected to be able to find something about its use in the area. I was unable to find any info about it. Proactive messaging about upcoming law enforcement drone use would be good but even after-the-fact notice would be helpful. Thanks for soliciting input.
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Phone 952-882-2600 Email mheski@savagemn.gov
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