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Flores, Dora <br />From:Frank Atayde <franka@hi-oca.com> <br />Sent:Tuesday, February 3, 2026 1:56 PM <br />To:eComment <br />Subject:Support for Drone Agenda Item #15 - SAPD Drone Program <br />Attachments:Thief on a bicycle.pdf <br /> Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Councilors of Santa Ana, <br /> <br />This message is to formally seek your approval for the acquisition of two drones for the Santa Ana <br />Police Department. On behalf of the local hospitality industry, I would like to voice the collective <br />concerns of hoteliers regarding the safety and security of our guests. <br /> <br />In the hospitality industry, a single negative review regarding safety can significantly impact our <br />business and, consequently, the city's tax revenue. To illustrate the need for this technology, I would <br />like to cite a recurring issue in the Hotel Terrace area (Ward 6). Since 2023, an individual on a bicycle <br />has been targeting guest vehicles, often in broad daylight. When these incidents are reported, they <br />are frequently not prioritized due to other emergencies, allowing the suspect to flee before officers <br />arrive. With the use of a drone, the SAPD would be able to track such individuals in real time, <br />allowing officers to apprehend them quickly and effectively. Please find the attached images of a <br />guest’s broken vehicle window and the suspect in question. <br /> <br />While we are aware of concerns regarding resident privacy, I want to emphasize that this project is a <br />vital step for public safety rather than an invasion of privacy. Furthermore, the budget for this <br />purchase has already been allocated and will not divert funds from other project proposals. <br /> <br />As the City of Santa Ana is considered one of the top cities in Orange County, it is concerning that <br />we are currently the only city without a drone, often requiring our Police Department to borrow <br />equipment from neighboring jurisdictions. <br /> <br />We respectfully urge the City Council to approve Agenda Item #15 and provide the SAPD with these <br />necessary tools to protect our community. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Frank Atayde <br />General Manager <br />Holiday Inn Orange County Airport <br />2726 S. Grand Avenue <br />Santa Ana, CA 92705 <br />Phone: 714/481-6310, Fax: 714/966-1889 <br />www.holidayinn.com/jwa-airport <br /> <br />3 <br />