Minneapolis police drone debate draws packed crowds concerned about privacy
More than 30 residents raised surveillance concerns as officials said the 75-day trial could help dispatchers clear false calls and speed response times.
- At Minneapolis City Hall Wednesday, the Minneapolis City Council Public Health, Safety, and Equity Committee advanced a 75-day pilot program to deploy Skydio drones as first responders to 911 calls in the Fourth Precinct.
- Minneapolis Community Safety Chief of Staff Andy Skoogman framed the drones as efficiency tools, citing Minnetonka Police Department data showing drones arrived first to scenes 65% of the time.
- More than 30 residents raised concerns about Skydio's federal surveillance contracts and ties to Israeli military operations, questioning why the proposal surfaced so soon after Operation Metro Surge.
- City Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw reassured attendees the program aims to reduce response times, not surveillance, while non-evidence footage deletes after seven days and cameras avoid private property.
- The committee advanced the item without an official recommendation, setting a final vote by the full Minneapolis City Council for July 16, with the trial potentially beginning July 20 if approved.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Associated Press News
Minneapolis police drone debate draws packed crowds concerned about privacy
Dozens of community members flooded Minneapolis City Hall Wednesday to express concerns about a proposed drone program for Minneapolis police.
Minneapolis Police Drone Trial Sparks Resident Pushback
Minneapolis City Council heard testimony on a proposed 75-day Skydio drone trial for MPD in the 4th precinct, with over 30 residents pushing back on surveillance concerns and Skydio's ties to Israel and DHS. Izzy Canizares reports. The post Minneapolis community members speak out against proposed trial on “first responder” drones appeared first on Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
Minneapolis police drone debate sparks privacy concerns
Dozens of community members flooded Minneapolis City Hall Wednesday to express concerns about a proposed drone program for Minneapolis police. Nearly 50 people signed up to speak at the City Council’s public health, safety and equity committee meeting. Residents filled all of the seats in the council chambers reserved for the public, and an overflow room next door. “We just spent months enduring a brutal winter of military-equipped federal occu…
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