Oro Valley buys drones
Oro Valley is expanding its police drone program with a $146,000 state grant to add four remotely operated drones to the department. The move is framed as a public‑safety upgrade and will be funded entirely by the grant, city officials say. (kgun9.com)
The Oro Valley Town Council unanimously approved the agreement at a Jan. 28 council meeting and authorized the police chief to sign the state Border Support Grant–funded lease. (tucsonspotlight.org ) The department’s contract is with Flock Safety and is structured as a one‑year lease that officials describe as a “drone‑as‑first‑responder” model allowing remote launches that can get airborne before officers arrive. (kgun9.com ) Town documents say units will be stationed at two locations inside town limits so one drone can operate while another charges, and the council authorized the department to operate the leased drones outside Oro Valley’s jurisdiction when needed. (tucsonspotlight.org ) Officials told the council drone footage will be handled under the town’s existing evidence rules and treated like body‑worn camera video, with access limited to authorized personnel, Lt. Kevin Peterson said in public comment. (kgun9.com ) Residents and civil‑liberties advocates raised privacy and oversight concerns during the meeting, with one speaker warning the contract could “fundamentally change the relationship between the town of Oro Valley and the people of Oro Valley.” (kgun9.com ) Flock Safety has faced recent scrutiny after an Illinois audit found U.S. Customs and Border Protection accessed its license‑plate data, prompting the company to pause federal pilot programs and pledge changes to data‑sharing controls. (cbsnews.com govtech.com )
