Perry Council discusses public safety drone program, vending machines

Key takeaways –

• Police Chief Alan Everidge presented a drone program enhancing public safety. A resolution to approve the program will be presented at the next council meeting.
• Mayor Randall Walker and council approved a 120-day moratorium on self-service vending machines. 

PERRY – The city of Perry discussed implementing a drone program during Tuesday night’s city council meeting and put a stop to new vending machines.

Law Enforcement Drone program

During the pre-council meeting, Police Chief Alan Everidge presented the program to Mayor Randall Walker and the council. He believes the drone program will equip the police department with cutting-edge technology and help enhance public safety.

Everidge discussed how drones can assist in search and rescue. He cited missing persons cases in the past few weeks, which he said are becoming more common. 

Another way drones can assist the department is in traffic management, which will allow police to monitor traffic flow during large events or accidents. Everidge said during major events, especially at the fairgrounds, the department sees traffic issues throughout the community. 

He said drones will give them an overhead look and view of critical incidents. It will also help the department in crowd management and monitoring during large events.

Drones can also help the department in crime scene documentation, disaster response and investigations, he mentioned.

Everidge said the drones will not be used to answer calls but will be used to gather information on certain types of calls, leading to more efficiency. If approved, the department will begin training authorized Public Safety Operators. 

Everidge said there will be a limited number of drones, stored at the police department and only used by licensed operators. The fire department can also use them during fires or severe weather. 

Everidge said the cost of a drone is approximately $15,444, funded entirely by forfeitures with no impact on taxpayers. This includes a $2,200 Certificate of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Councilmember Dan Peterson asked if drones could track down and observe suspects. Everidge mentioned emergency scenarios, such as a suspect doing something illegal in their backyard, but said there are limitations and the department will respect privacy until they receive a search warrant.

City Attorney Brooke Newby said the program will be presented as a resolution in the next meeting for the mayor and council to approve.

Self-service vending moratorium

On the pre-council agenda, City Planner Emily Carson presented a 120-day moratorium on self-service vending machines, approved during the regular council meeting.

Newby said there’s questioning of the current ordinance’s definitions, realized with an ice vending unit recently placed outside a store on General Courtney Hodges Boulevard, which the city believes violates code. Carson gave the owner a notice of the potential violation; if not removed, code enforcement may issue a citation. 

Carson said the city felt the need to clarify intent and the ordinance’s verbiage, leading to the moratorium. The department will also determine how to regulate size, zoning and height restrictions. 

Walker clarified the moratorium would affect all vending units, not just ice vending machines. 

Urban Redevelopment Plan

Moving on to the council meeting, Carson presented a resolution to adopt the Urban Redevelopment Plan, approved unanimously.

According to Carson, the plan guides the Community Development Department’s uses in grant funding distribution. It also outlines the revitalization strategy for renovating homes and infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalks and sewers.

The plan also includes a revitalization area strategy map update, to include the Hilltop Road community and subdivisions in Keith Drive. 

End of Meeting Reminders

Community Development Director Bryan Wood said the Perry Trash Dash community cleanup will be on Saturday, April 5, at the Perry Events Center, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are welcome.

Public Works Superintendent Ansley Fitzner reminded mayor and council of a Spring Cleanup from April 21 to April 25, open to all residents. She encourages everyone to visit the city’s website or call Public Works at (478) 988-2732 for more information.

Mayor and council will meet again for their pre-council starting at 5 p.m. and regular council meeting at 6 p.m. on April 15. Everyone is invited to attend these meetings, and the agenda can be found at here.