Overview
- The City Council voted 6-6 on Thursday, rejecting a proposal that would have given the Minneapolis Police Department a 75-day free trial with Skydio drones operating from two rooftop docks at Fire Station 14.
- Dozens of residents filled meetings and submitted 165 pages of public comment opposing the plan, citing privacy concerns, mistrust of MPD after a 2023 DOJ finding on biased and excessive force, and Skydio sales to ICE and foreign militaries.
- Skydio told council hearings that non-evidentiary footage would be deleted after seven days and that drones would point at the horizon until arriving at scenes, but critics pointed to reported data leaks and specific incidents where drones fixated on individuals.
- Supporters, including the proposal sponsor, argued drones could speed situational awareness and reduce unnecessary officer dispatches and pointed to other Minnesota cities using Skydio — St. Paul reported roughly 600 missions that helped locate people and contributed to arrests.
- With the vote halting the planned trial, council members and community groups said the city must now weigh tighter operational safeguards, vendor scrutiny, and alternative public-safety investments such as civilian oversight or social services.