Canonsburg adopts drone program
Canonsburg residents may soon spot a public safety drone flying over their town, as borough council unanimously approved the creation of a Public Safety Drone Program during a Monday night meeting.
The program will allow the borough to authorize fundraising efforts, accept donations for the program and establish operational policies in compliance with applicable laws and borough ordinances, according to the meeting’s agenda.
Borough Manager Jennifer Foster previously said that borough staff recognized the need for an expanded, formalized drone initiative after severe flooding struck the region twice in August, leaving the Canonsburg Police Department’s two small drones unusable.
These two drones are unable to fly in inclement weather, she said, which limits their usefulness during emergency response situations.
Acquiring a larger, better-equipped drone that can fly in harsh rain would cost around $20,000, she said.
Currently, the police department employs three Federal Aviation Authority-licensed drone pilots, with the new program opening a pathway for additional borough employees to earn their certification and receive appropriate training.
Dozens of municipalities across the commonwealth currently deploy a range of small to medium-sized drones, mainly for police and emergency response purposes and controlled from the ground with a dedicated console or small tablet.
The council did not allocate any funding to the program during the meeting after approving the program.