St. Paul council blocks police drone expansion after rescue highlights program
On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the St. Paul City Council refused to authorize the police department's grant application to expand its Skydio docked drone program.[1] Council President Rebecca Noecker said, "We will not be authorizing this grant application," citing the need for more information and community concerns.[1]
Protesters packed the council meeting, raising surveillance concerns and calling out Skydio's federal military contracts.[1] Police repeatedly defended the program, saying docked drones typically arrive five to seven minutes faster than officers.[1] The department pointed to Monday's rescue of an autistic child from a pond as evidence of the technology's value.[2] Opponent Cedar Larson told the council the same public safety work could be done without "dangerous technology." FOX 9
The police department had sought a grant to expand its Skydio docked drone network, pitching faster response times as a major benefit.[1] With the grant unapproved, the proposed expansion is on hold while debate over surveillance and military ties continues.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the St. Paul City Council explicitly refused to authorize the police department's grant application to expand its Skydio docked drone program.
- Council President Rebecca Noecker said on the record, “We will not be authorizing this grant application,” citing the need for more information and community concerns.
- Protesters packed the council meeting, raising surveillance concerns about police drone use.
- Demonstrators at the meeting also called out Skydio’s federal military contracts as part of their opposition.
- Police reiterated operational claims that docked drones typically arrive 5–7 minutes faster than officers and cited Monday’s rescue of an autistic child from a pond as evidence of the program’s value.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- The St. Paul City Council explicitly refused to authorize the police department's grant application to expand its Skydio docked drone program.
- Council President Rebecca Noecker said on the record, “We will not be authorizing this grant application,” citing the need for more information and community concerns.
- Protesters packed the council meeting, raising surveillance concerns and calling out Skydio’s federal military contracts.
- Police reiterated operational claims that docked drones typically arrive 5–7 minutes faster than officers and cited Monday’s rescue of an autistic child from a pond as evidence of the program’s value.
- An identified opponent, Cedar Larson, argued at the meeting that the same public safety work could be done without “dangerous technology” and questioned whether drones are truly saving lives.