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<br />REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />Date: 1/29/2024 <br />Item No.: 10.k. <br />Department Approval City Manager Approval <br /> <br /> <br />Item Description: Accept 2023 Ramsey County Emergency Management & Homeland <br />Security Grant <br />1 <br />2 Background <br />3 In the Spring of 2022, the Roseville Police Department launched a drone program aimed at <br />4 providing airborne support to police operations in a safe, responsible, and transparent <br />5 manner. The goal is to preserve peace, reduce response times, and enhance the overall <br />6 quality of life in the city of Roseville. Notably, the services offered by this program benefit <br />7 not only Roseville but any city or county agency to which we can respond. <br />8 <br />9 The use of drones has proven to be an effective method for law enforcement to gather <br />10 critical information in response to service calls and emergency situations, as well as to <br />11 conduct criminal investigations. Examples include providing an overhead view of an area or <br />12 incident for ground personnel, safely clearing the interior of buildings, documenting crime <br />13 and crash scenes in detail, and searching for lost or missing persons. <br />14 <br />15 Our drone team has identified a need for a second full-sized drone. This additional drone <br />16 would not only leverage new technology but also serve as a supplement to our existing <br />17 drone. Currently, if we encounter mechanical issues, our drone program is sidelined. In <br />18 such situations, we must rely on another agency or resort to alternative tactics, which may <br />19 not always be as safe or productive. Introducing a second drone would provide the much- <br />20 needed redundancy, ensuring the police department and the community's safety <br />21 expectations are met. <br />22 <br />23 In July 2023, the police department sought and obtained permission from the council to <br />24 apply for this Urban Area Security Initiatives (UASI) grant, which was subsequently <br />25 approved by Ramsey County Emergency Management & Homeland Security. The total <br />26 cost of the drones and accessories is $25,900, an expense fully covered by the grant. <br />27 <br />28 As with past UASI grant applications, the Roseville Police Department seeks to fund <br />29 innovative equipment outside the reach of its annual operating budget. <br />30 <br />31 Policy Objectives <br />32 Allow the Roseville Police Department to accept the $25,900 in grant funds to be used as <br />33 requested. <br />34 <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />Qbhf!325!pg!367 <br /> <br />