C4G - Discuss Drone Vacation Watch Program

Committee Referrals - C4 G

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

Please place on the July 23, 2025 City Commission agenda a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (“PSNQLC”) to discuss the City potentially implementing a drone vacation watch program to perform exterior checks of residents’ homes while they’re away in order to detect and deter criminal activity.

As shown in Exhibit “A” attached and incorporated hereto, the police department in Elizabeth, New Jersey has supplemented their Vacation Watch Program (the “Program”) with Unmanned Aircraft System (“UAS” or “Drone”) support to perform exterior checks of residents’ homes while they’re away. Their drone-aided Program is a complimentary service designed to provide residents of Elizabeth with added peace of mind when they’re not home. As part of their program, UAS-certified police officers conduct periodic exterior checks of registered residences using drone technology.

Presently, our Police Department (“MBPD”) offers a Watch Program, but I would request that the City Administration be prepared to provide the Committee with its thoughts about this initiative and its potential implementation to enhance the current MBPD Watch Program. Of course, any implementation or deployment of drones would be dependent upon weather conditions and overall call volume with emergency response operations remaining MBPD’s top priority. I would further request that the City Administration be prepared at Committee to discuss any issues or concerns, including any costs or other necessary resources, related to this proposal.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

ANALYSIS

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

N/A

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:

See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Office of Mayor Steven Meiner

Sponsor(s)

Mayor Steven Meiner

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Ref: PSNQLC - Drone Vacation Watch Program. (Meiner)

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)