Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office plan use a drone in future investigations

In the past, the Sheriff’s Office has borrowed drones from other agencies in order to best approach a situation.

Starting this month, they will have one of their own.

Officials with the Sheriff’s Office said they expected to hear concern from the community.

“You could spy on anybody that way, and for no reason. It’s not good,” said Santa Cruz Resident, Roberto Holland.

Undersheriff, Craig Wilson, said they’re here to listen to public concern. He said they also plan to assure the public of exactly what the drone will provide.

“We’re not going to use it for general surveillance and patrol work. We’re going to
use it for highly specific situations,” said Wilson.

Wilson said there have been several situations, in the past, in which a drone would have proved useful.

He said that when they did have access to one, it helped increase safety.

“Having a drone at the scene really helped our, not only our deputies to be safer, but as importantly the citizens were safer, and even the suspects themselves. The more that we know, the more that we can account for and the safer it will be for them,” said Wilson.

He said they will give the public the chance to share their opinion at a meeting at Septemeber 26th at 5:30pm at Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Community Room located at 5200 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz,CA 95062.