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Flores, Dora <br />From:selicadiaz@yahoo.com <br />Sent: 3:09 PM <br />To:eComment <br />Subject:Item 15 on the agenda (Drones) <br /> Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br />Dear Mayor and City Council members <br /> <br />Based on my research, the use of drones by local police departments is highly beneficial for public safety. Drones help <br />improve response times and increase efficiency. <br /> <br />Drones can act as first responders, often arriving at emergency scenes within minutes. They provide a bird’s-eye view that <br />helps officers assess situations, locate suspects, assist with search and rescue using thermal imaging, and manage traffic <br />incidents. <br /> <br />They are also far more cost-effective than helicopters when monitoring large events, crowds, or traffic situations. <br /> <br />In addition, drones allow for high-resolution documentation of crime scenes, which improves investigations and helps <br />clear incident scenes more quickly. <br /> <br />We don’t have to guess about the impact. In March 2025, the Newport Beach Police Department began using drones, and <br />the results speak for themselves: <br />• 344 calls supported <br />• 233 incidents where drones arrived before patrol <br />• 35 arrests assisted <br />• 126 patrol responses reduced or canceled <br /> <br />I understand and respect concerns about privacy. However, I believe the benefits to public safety far outweigh those <br />concerns, especially when proper policies and oversight are in place. <br /> <br />Using drones will speed up response times, improve situational awareness, and ensure smarter use of public safety <br />resources. <br /> <br />Our city’s mission is “to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community, ensuring public safety, a <br />prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents.” This item clearly <br />aligns with that mission. <br /> <br />Because I support measures that protect the safety of the public, I strongly support this item and respectfully ask all seven <br />of you to vote YES. <br /> <br />Thank you. <br />Selica Diaz <br />Pacific Park Neighborhood, Resident <br /> <br /> <br />5 <br />