Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse officials want to use surveillance technology to respond to emergency scenes and to watch vacant lots where people often dump trash illegally.
This month, a city group is asking the public to weigh in with any comments or concerns about the proposed new use of drones and other watchful technology.
The proposal suggests installing surveillance cameras at five vacant Syracuse lots where people frequently dump trash. The surveillance system would notify public works employees if it looked like someone was dumping.
The proposal also calls for using tethered drones to help first responders deal with emergencies like deadly car crashes, train derailments, mass shootings or missing people. The fire department already uses drones when fighting major fires.
The tethered drones only move vertically and are wired to a console.
They city’s Surveillance Technology Working Group is asking for input from the public on using the new technology.
Anyone with comments can fill out an online form. The comment period is open until Tuesday, July 27.