TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – More eyes in the sky: That’s the latest proposal from Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox. With an eye on the new fiscal year, the mayor has proposed a drone first responder team to the city council.
One city councilor is fully on board and ready to put the project into action. Another feels the same way, but is not yet ready to spend the money needed to implement it.
District 6 Councilman John Faile likes the idea alone.
“I am overjoyed,” said Councillor Faile.
Enthusiastic, considering that Councillor Faile has worked in the police force for decades. In his opinion, everything is different today. The more protection, the better.
“For one thing, the world has changed. It’s a dangerous world out there. Public safety – whether you’re a firefighter or a police officer – and I believe that will save lives,” Faile said.
Mayor Walt Maddox’s proposal is this: The new drone system would be placed under the control of the Tuscaloosa Police Department. The drones could be launched within 30 seconds of a 911 call and actually relay information to a police officer or firefighter responding to the call.
“The community will benefit in many ways,” said Kip Tyner, chairman of the Tuscaloosa City Council.
Tyner points to a recent case involving a police officer in which a drone in the sky could have helped.
“We had a situation with a police stop and a gun. The gun was fired at the officer and he fired back, so suddenly there was silence and we didn’t know if the suspect had been shot,” Tyner said.
The price of such a drone package would be about $2 million and would include hiring six new drone analysts to control the drones from the ground. That’s where the council needs to consider everything, according to Tyner.
“We’re looking at the entire budget. Of course, there are some other issues I’d like to address. I like that,” Tyner said.
“It’s also an opportunity to expand our law enforcement agencies because everyone knows we don’t have enough police officers,” Faile said.
For now, drones in the sky remain what they are: a suggestion and in the air.
The new fiscal year for Tuscaloosa begins on October 1. Faile and Tyner are very confident that the mayor’s proposal will be voted on long before then.
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