City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and recognized the Deputy Police Chief, who discussed various aspects of the unmanned aircraft system proposal, including the appropriate circumstances such a system would be deployed, how digital media evidence would be stored, how such a system would be financed and policy relative to the city’s homeless population.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed the City Council’s roles in discussing and approving policies and the purchasing of unmanned aircraft systems.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey, who recognized State Senator Michael Moore, who discussed funding associated with the proposal, as well as the effect that such systems have had in other communities.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed allowing time for the community to understand policy and issues relative to an unmanned aircraft systems.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed procedural aspects of receiving additional information associated with items, as well as City Council’s role in procedures associated with an unmanned aircraft system.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the City Council and public’s role on the unmanned aircraft system proposal with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed the moral obligation of bringing forward concerns associated with the unmanned aircraft system proposal, including striking any use of such systems for homelessness responses.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the following speakers:
1. Eric Tars, no residence given, spoke in opposition to the item
2. Courtney Pladsen, no residence given, spoke in opposition to the item
3. Maurice Newman, no residence given, spoke in opposition to the item
4. David Slatkin, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
5. Sam Skinner, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
6. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
7. Wahiya Wolfpaw, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
8. Gabriel Kaufman-Gibbons, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
9. Nick Wertz, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
10. Rick Cipro, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
11. Victor Catalina, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
12. Emily Galante, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
13. Nathan Skyler, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
14. Yenni Desroches, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
15. Emiliano Falcon-Morano, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
16. Francesca Bartholomew-Girard, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
17. Dewey Cosgrove, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
18. Judy Diamondstone, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
19. Nelly Medina, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
20. Richard Coyne, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
21. Gerardo Schiano, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
22. Emmet Karner, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
23. Pauline West, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized State Senator Moore and the Deputy Police Chief, who discussed the city’s current procedures associated with identifying homeless individuals.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the potential of organizing a meeting between city staff tasked with drafting policy around unmanned aircraft systems with community liaisons who may be able to aid in said drafts.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized the WPD Officers, who discussed the how the city would interact with the FAA for any flights of an unmanned aircraft system.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Deputy Police Chief, who discussed the reasoning behind creating drone policies after drone acquirement, usage of Taser as part of de-escalation tactic, opportunities for community input to be provided through crime watch meetings and UAS procedures and public mental health professional services as part of the de-escalation tactic.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized State Senator Moore, who discussed the feasibility of postponing drone usage until the development of drone policies.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with report concerning state and federal policies concerning drone surveillance.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey recognized Councilor Rivera and Councilor Colorio, who both spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey moved to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold

Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with report concerning state and federal policies concerning drone surveillance.

Chairperson Councilor Toomey read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold