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The Minneapolis City Council rejected a drone pilot program that would allow the Minneapolis Police Department to contract with the controversial company Skydio.

Council members were divided on the issue, both sides citing public safety concerns. 

Dozens of Minneapolis residents attended the Minneapolis City Council meeting Thursday to oppose the proposal, filling an overflow room. 

 of written comments, the vast majority opposing the pilot. They cited privacy and safety concerns as well as criticism of Skydio’s contracts with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the 

MPD already uses drones in some circumstances, but the 75-day pilot program proposed using drones as first responders. 

, drones would respond to 911 calls and livestream video of the scene to dispatch. The Skydio proposal said their drones would allow for MPD to determine if dispatching officers is necessary. If it is, the livestreamed video would provide officers critical information as they arrive at a scene. The drones could also be located to find missing persons.

Despite Mayor Jacob Frey throwing his weight behind the proposal, it failed on a tied 6-6 vote.

Minneapolis's community safety commissioner Todd Barnette said in a statement that he believes the city missed an opportunity to see what this technology could do for the community.

“At the end of the day, good public policy should be based on evidence,” Barnette said in the statement. “This pilot would have allowed us to evaluate the technology using real-world data gathered here in Minneapolis—not assumptions. While we're disappointed with today's outcome, we remain committed to exploring responsible, innovative ways to strengthen public safety for everyone in our city.”

The proposal planned for two drone docks located at Fire Station 14 in north Minneapolis.

According to the proposal, non-evidentiary footage would be deleted within seven days. There would also be a public online dashboard that tracks flight data and the reason for the flights.

Police departments in five other Minnesota cities already contract with Skydio: St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, Minnetonka, Brooklyn Park. 

According to the proposal, Skydio drones have flown almost 600 missions in St. Paul since May 30. Data from the St. Paul Police Department said in that time period, the drones have helped locate at least 45 people and have contributed to 46 arrests. The St. Paul Police Department said the drones arrive on the scene within 90 seconds. 

Skydio didn’t respond to a request for comment. 

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Opponents to the proposal filled an overflow room at the Minneapolis City Council meeting. 

Minneapolis City Council rejects police drone contract with controversial Skydio

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