By Suzie Ziegler
PHOENIX — On Friday, an ambush and deadly exchange of gunfire left nine Phoenix police officers wounded. According to FOX 10, the neighboring city of Glendale provided drones for tactical help during the violent altercation. That’s why one Phoenix city council member says it’s time their city had its own drones.
“We’re the fifth-largest city in the country and our men and women in blue deserve to have drones for their safety and the safety of citizens in the city,” council member Ann O’Brien told FOX 10. “This kind of attack on people that just want to keep their community members safe is absolutely unacceptable.”
O’Brien will be putting a police drone program to a vote on Wednesday, according to the report. In January, the city had begun work on a drone program for the fire department, but councilors cited privacy concerns for police use.
O’Brien says that good policies would alleviate those concerns.
“I do believe that we can put together policies that will protect our citizens’ right to privacy while allowing men and women to do their job in a safer way,” O’Brien said.
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