By Debra Messick

CAMBRIDGE — When it was Cambridge Police Chief Justin Todd’s turn at the City Council chamber podium during April 29’s special budget work session, he led off by counting his blessings, and thanking those responsible.

“I want to thank Tom for the last few years, for some of the things I was able to learn under his guidance. And in June, with two more officer recruits entering the Police Academy in June, we’ll be at 40. That would not be possible without the support of the Mayor, Council, and City Manager,” Todd said.

He also expressed gratitude to Finance Director Perry Peregoy, and for a much-improved vehicle fleet, as well as improved training opportunities.

“If we want to be the best we can be, we need to train. I’m very thankful for the money allocated to allow our department to be able to do that,” Todd said, noting that training was also a valuable recruitment tool.

“Those considering Cambridge see we’re given opportunities to expand our careers, and it makes a difference,” he said.

Todd was reserved in expressing disappointment at learning that his request to acquire a tactical drone and receive training had not been included in the proposed budget. He has estimated that the dollar amount needed would be between $30-$35,000.

“I actually hadn't realized that it hadn't been included until the night of the meeting, when Mike Stewart told me,” Todd later said.

Stewart, the city’s Fifth Ward representative on the Police Advisory Board, spoke on behalf of the request when the meeting was opened for public comment.

“We spend a hell of a lot of money on our police officers. Getting a drone, even a less costly one could work; it would be an investment in life-saving equipment,” he said.

Stewart mentioned that he’d seen how well even a small drone works when a leak in his fourth-floor apartment was quickly pinpointed by a ”cheap one” used by the repair technician.

Sputty Cephas, Ward Four Council Commissioner who serves as the Board’s City Liaison, questioned Todd about the type of drone requested, wondering if it was a shot spotter drone, because the city now uses shot spotter technology.

Todd indicated he knew of those.

“Once gunshots are recognized that type of drone could be deployed from the police department to where they had been fired,” he said. “But that’s a more expensive drone.

“There are also tactical drones, which can break glass, search buildings, such as schools, so that's where we want to begin, anything to help take away the need to use force,” Todd said.

Ward One Commissioner Brian Roche agreed that a drone represented the future of policing, and in that way could also be a strong recruiting tool.

In a follow up interview several days later, Todd said that he’d received comments of support from several commissioners for the drone request. He also recalled that the Mayor had spoken positively on the subject during recent conversations.

"Unmanned aerial vehicles are beneficial public safety tools, especially in today’s climate and times,” Todd said.

"Today we have the technology to deal with dangers involved in situations where people are barricaded and possibly armed. By being able to see what’s going on, we can avoid acting blindly,” he said.

A drone is also useful in keeping crowded events safe and in situations where people, especially children, go missing particularly at night.

“With the drone’s infrared heat sensing capabilities, if we have an idea where they were last seen, it can be sent to fly over the area to pick up heat sensor indicators," he said.

Another public comment speaker, Chuck McFadden, President of the Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods, mentioned that in perusing the budget, he’d noted that the Police Department was budgeted for 46 full-time officers.

“You’re never going to get to forty-six. With the extra $4 or 5 hundred thousand dollars saved, you could get ten drones, “ he said.

Assistant City Manager Brandon Hessen was among several at the meeting wondering if they should also request drones.

“All joking aside, a few years ago several high-profile buildings collapsed on Race Street, one of the things I proposed was getting a drone to visually inspect the roofs and vacant buildings,” Hesson said.

Commission President Lajan Cephas commented, “let’s get more than one drone, let’s get two drones, maybe one for the Fire Department, too.”

Ward Three Commissioner Jameson Harrington, a photographer,  half-jokingly, noted that as he was the only one currently certified to fly a drone, he should get “first dibs.”

In his closing comments, after thanking everyone for their contributions to preparing the budget, Sputty Cephas assured Todd that “we’re gonna get a drone, we’re gonna get it done.”

Several days later, in response to a question about the police drone, City Manager Carroll said that his recommendation on the drone remains the same.

“But I fully expect Council will vote on May 20th to include it in the budget, and I am confident CPD will make great use of it.”