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Home » Concord City Council Approves Police Drone Program

Concord City Council Approves Police Drone Program

by CLAYCORD.com
11 comments

The Concord City Council unanimously approved a police request for a drone program this week over the protests of residents who cited concerns over privacy and that the $30,000 of seed money for the program comes from Marathon Petroleum.

Concord police will join other local departments with drone programs already in place, including Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Lafayette, Richmond, Antioch, Pittsburg, and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, which occasionally loans its drones to Concord.

The Concord Police Department cited examples of when waiting for an unmanned aerial system (UAS) from a neighboring jurisdiction could’ve had serious consequences, including this month when a 6-year-old autistic child went missing at Newhall Community Park. Concord police called for drone help but discovered the boy before the drone’s 25-minute estimated time of arrival.

Concord Police Chief Mark Bustillos said the city is too big not to have its own drones, which would also help free up officers in a department that’s understaffed.

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“We’re doing the best we can with what we have,” Bustillos told the council.

After some people complained about Marathon’s environmental record and possible influence it could exert over the department, Bustillos said it was his idea that the oil company’s grant go toward a drone program.

The program would be managed by a program coordinator chosen by Bustillos. The department is asking for five drones from Airworx Unmanned Solutions, of the same types used by neighboring agencies.

A staff report said the department has tracked suspects, including an armed man wanted for attempted homicide in February of this year. The drone was able to identify the man was armed with an assault rifle and assisted officers in making the arrest.

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Drones have also been used to track suspects through areas not easily accessed by police vehicles. They were also used to track protesters during Black Lives Matter events in 2020.

The drone footage will be kept for two years, the same time as for police body camera footage and city correspondence. Police will keep a public log of how and when it uses drones on its website.

A staff report said the UAS program will not be used to conduct random surveillance, or carry weapons, or target people based solely on actual or perceived characteristics. Police said drones won’t be used “to harass, intimidate, or discriminate against any individual or group” or “in a reckless or negligent manner.”

The council asked the Police Department to come back three months after the program starts to provide an update.

The department still needs to buy the equipment and train in its operation.

11 comments


MoJo October 15, 2021 - 9:07 AM - 9:07 AM

Makes perfect sense that the City Council that can drone on with the best of them would approve a drone program.

Cellophane October 15, 2021 - 10:32 AM - 10:32 AM

Concord, being the largest City in the region, should have had Drones before anyone else.

Just goes to show how lopsided the City Council is when looking to spend our tax money.

They waste an incredible amount of money on the weapons station boondoggle and give away countless tax dollars on give away programs for people who should be taking care of themselves.

The roads are still in poor condition, sidewalks are impassable and the homeless rule the streets and gutters.

Streets are raceways for irresponsible people I won’t even discuss littler.

This, and previous city councils, are a pitiful example of elected representatives working for the good people of Concord.

Donothaveone October 15, 2021 - 12:27 PM - 12:27 PM

I don’t think you can blame the council for the cops not doing a thing in this town. You got to blame the cops they get a budget of $64.4 million and that’s like 57% of the budget what are they doing with the money they do nothing as you pointed out but they have cash coming out there….

Schmee October 15, 2021 - 10:36 AM - 10:36 AM

Words that have 2 meanings are fun. But I dont want to hover over your heads im gonna take off.

chuckie the troll October 15, 2021 - 10:54 AM - 10:54 AM

Weapons packages for the drones to arrive under cover of darkness.

Yoyohop October 15, 2021 - 11:25 AM - 11:25 AM

Drone footage was also made of the summer 2020 riots. However that footage was kept secret from the public by the FBI. It is only now coming to light after being subpoenaed by the defense in the Kyle Rittenhouse case.

The main beneficiary of surveillance will always be those seeking control.

Bdpirate October 15, 2021 - 12:14 PM - 12:14 PM

Ah who really cares..bring on the drones they don’t bother us at all and we fly all of ours frequently as well which pisses off the neighbors.

Re-education October 15, 2021 - 2:06 PM - 2:06 PM

Just what we need, Big Brother hoovering over. The people that run the city make me sick.
Let’s go Brandon!!!!

nytemuvr October 15, 2021 - 3:59 PM - 3:59 PM

@Re-education….I hate it when those flying vacuum cleaners buzz my house, my cats hate it too.

Paul October 15, 2021 - 2:11 PM - 2:11 PM

Can they use the drones to catch people dumping couches, carpet, tires on San Miquel in Concord?.

Old Otis October 15, 2021 - 2:17 PM - 2:17 PM

Will they be armed? Can they shoot people from them?
Asking for a friend.


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