During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the operational status and challenges of the city's drone program, particularly in light of incidents that occurred during the Tequila Fest on May 5th. The meeting revealed that the city currently operates 20 drones, piloted by 19 individuals, including police officers and firefighters. However, the drones are only deployed for specific missions, such as rescues, rather than routine patrols.

A significant point of contention arose regarding the availability of video footage from the festival, where two stabbings and a shooting occurred after 10 PM. Council members expressed frustration over the lack of surveillance footage, as the requested drone and camera video was reportedly deleted automatically after a retention period of 3 to 5 days. Chief White clarified that there were no operational cameras in the Festival Plaza area at the time of the event, which contributed to the absence of footage.

The discussion also touched on the city’s policy regarding video retention for businesses, highlighting a discrepancy between the city’s 3 to 5-day retention requirement and the longer storage demands placed on local establishments seeking liquor license renewals. This inconsistency prompted calls for a review of existing ordinances.

In response to the challenges highlighted by the recent incidents, officials acknowledged the need to improve operational preparedness. They indicated plans to adjust best practices to ensure that video footage from drones and mobile surveillance units is preserved for longer periods during major events. This proactive approach aims to enhance the city’s ability to respond to future incidents effectively.

The meeting underscored the importance of addressing gaps in surveillance capabilities and the need for a comprehensive review of policies governing video retention, both for city operations and local businesses.