PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday rejected a $31,000 police drone grant after a larger conversation about surveillance and responsible data storage. 

On the agenda was $31,167 from the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. For about two hours, councilors dug into the U.S. Department of Justice contract, found grammatical errors, and what they described as abnormally worded conditions and red flags. 

"It's not even like one red flag. It's like a whole field of red flags," Ward 7 Councilor Kathy Moody said.

They voted 9-2 to reject the grant, with only Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren and Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn in favor.  

"We should not approve a grant where the contract goes against our own policies, whether it be state or local policies, or whether the requirements in that contract go against our community's values," Councilor at Large Alisa Costa said. 

"And what I heard from residents before this meeting, and what was a concern that I flagged when I first read this, is that it does go against my values and the values of our neighbors and us wanting to protect people." 

Open microphone speakers said provisions in the contract violate the Massachusetts PROTECT Act, which Gov. Maura Healey signed last month to establish statewide limits on state and local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. 

"I'm particularly concerned about Condition 53, that would essentially require police officers to report to [the Department of Homeland Security] anyone who is being released from custody from a correctional facility, which would include local jails," resident Kamaar Taliaferro said. 

"Condition 54. This condition is in direct violation of the PROTECT Act."