Common Council delays ‘Drone as a First Responder’ SPD initiative
The Syracuse Common Council approved several resolutions on public safety and housing at its Monday meeting. Solange Jain | Senior Staff Photographer
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.
The Syracuse City Common Council delayed an agreement with Axon Enterprises. It would give the Syracuse Police Department drone technology as part of its new “Drone as a First Responder” initiative during its Monday regular meeting.
The Axon drones would respond to emergency calls before SPD, giving officers aerial views of incidents before they arrive. The program’s goal is to allow police to assess situations faster and improve safety, according to Axon’s website.
The company would supply all of the licensing, equipment and software related to the drones. The initiative’s cost will not exceed $57,001.20, according to the agenda.
The initiative remains an ongoing discussion, with SPD arguing the plan would allow officers to reduce response times, cut city costs and limit the number of officers responding to low-priority calls.
In an April Public Safety Committee meeting, the council acknowledged its safety benefits but raised privacy concerns regarding government access to drone data.
The council also rescinded its prior approval for Syracuse University to construct a communications ductbank, a set of underground pipes that carry internet, phone or fiber optic cables.
The May agreement would have allowed SU to install four 4-inch pipes and a vault. The council has not yet specified why it revoked the project’s approval.
The council also accepted a donation from the Everson Museum of Art to install a half-pipe at Kirk Park as part of a larger plan to repurpose underused tennis courts into a multi-use recreation space. The half-pipe was part of William Strobeck’s Dead End exhibition, which was on display at the museum until Aug. 31.
Additionally, the council approved a tax exemption agreement aimed at adding workforce housing on the city’s Southside.
The agreement, in partnership with BLD South Avenue Housing Development Fund Corporation, approves the construction of 51 workforce housing units on a vacant lot on South Avenue. The project will receive a 15-year tax exemption, with the option for renewal.
The project hopes to address the city’s shortage of quality, affordable housing.
Other business
- The council waived a requirement that restricted city parks from hiring more than 100 non-Syracuse residents as lifeguards.
- The city also approved a deal with Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions to install more automated speed and red light cameras across Syracuse.
- The council gave SUNY ESF permission to install an electrical meter panel and four underground pipes at Standart Street to boost the school’s electrical capacity.
- In partnership with Elite Gaming, the city approved an instructional e-sports program for Wilson Park and the Southwest Community Center this fall.
