From: AJ Trombetta
To: Public Safety Subcommittee Comment
Cc: Mark Trombetta
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment, PS Subcommittee, 1.28.25, DFR Program Date: Sunday, January 26, 2025 7:55:14 PM
City Council Members,
I support SRPD using a Drone as a First Responder (DFR) Program if the policy is written similar to the existing Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in that it is:
1. manned by POST
certified staff 2.used as a response tool for dispatch and first responders 3. responding to a call for service not random surveillance 4. upholds civil liberties 5. not weaponized.
In addition
6. Human oversight and decision making be the driver over AI tech.
7.Used solely for municipal first responders or as mutual aid to local county first responders.
I attended SRPD's DFR presentation meeting on 1/22/25, watched YouTube videos on the Police1 site, and read SRPD's Unmanned Aerial System Operations policy #314.
Lt. Ludtke covered the possibility of grant funding. This seems like a very cost effective option compared to that of a traditional air support helicopter program.
I'd like to commend Lt. Ludtke for an informative technology presentation and his passion in speaking to a community group about the Real Time Crime Center and law enforcement technology.
Thank you for your service!
Best regards,
A.J. Trombetta
24 4th LLC and
Railroad Square Association board member
From: Harold Duncan
To: [email protected]; CityCouncilListPublic
Cc: Ludtke, Josh; Cregan, John
Subject: [EXTERNAL] PUBLIC SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE - AGENDA ITEM 6.1 (DRONE AS FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM) Date: Friday, January 24, 2025 9:24:03 AM
Dear Council Members:
I would like to express my full support for the proposed Drone as First Responder (DFR) program that the Public Safety Subcommittee will be reviewing on January 28 during your meeting. I have been a member of the Chief’s Community Advisory Team (C-CAT) since June 2023 and unfortunately cannot attend the meeting to provide public comment.
Through my role on the C-CAT team, I have had the opportunity to attend two presentations on the Drone as First Responder initiative—once at the C-CAT Committee and again at the Drone as First Responder Informational Community Meeting on January 22, 2025, at the City of SR Utilities Field Operations Building. We had an excellent public turnout for this meeting, and Lieutenant Josh Ludtke delivered a thoughtful and educational presentation. The community response was overwhelmingly positive towards this program.
The proposed DFR program promises to enhance our city's emergency response capabilities by significantly reducing response times and providing real-time situational awareness to first responders. This technology will not only improve safety for our community members but also for the responding officers who will have access to critical information before arriving at the scene.
By leveraging cutting-edge drone technology, the DFR program will allow for quicker assessments of emergencies, enabling better-informed decision-making and potentially saving lives. The versatility of drones means they can be deployed in various situations, from traffic accidents to search and rescue operations, thus becoming an indispensable tool in our public safety arsenal.
Furthermore, the implementation of this program demonstrates a commitment to embracing innovative solutions to enhance public safety and community well-being. I am confident that the DFR program will be a valuable asset to our city and urge the Public Safety Subcommittee and the SR City Council to support its adoption.
Thank you for considering my support for this vital initiative.
HAROLD DUNCAN - C-CAT MEMBER
From: Trina de La Chapelle
To: CityCouncilListPublic
Subject: [EXTERNAL] SRPD Drone as First Responder program Date: Friday, January 24, 2025 4:03:05 PM
Dear SR City Council,
I am a Santa Rosa, CA resident and I attended the SRPD’s presentation on the Drone as First Responder program the other night.
After listening to their presentation and all the Q & A, I want you to know that I’m fully in support of this program.
I also want to tell you that their presentation was very well attended. And not one person there expressed disapproval.
Everyone who spoke up was in favor of it or their concerns addressed. And there were approximately 40 - 50 people there.
Thank you,
Trina de La Chapelle