SFPD Expands Drone Program with $9.4M Donation to Boost Citywide Surveillance

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has received a significant $9.4 million donation to expand its drone program, a move aimed at enhancing citywide surveillance and emergency response. Announced on June 5, 2025, by Mission Local, this funding will support the Real Time Investigation Center (RTIC) and add 10 new drone take-off sites across the city, marking a major leap in the SFPD’s use of drone technology for public safety.

A Game-Changer for Drone Operations

The donation, proposed by Ripple Labs—a San Francisco-based crypto company run by billionaire Chris Larsen—allocates funds to the RTIC, which was established after the 2024 passing of Proposition E. This initiative allows the SFPD to expand its use of technology for crime detection and surveillance.

The RTIC has already increased the number of cameras and drones monitoring crimes, contributing to over 500 arrests, according to the SFPD. Now, with the new funds, the department plans to relocate the RTIC from its current headquarters in the Hall of Justice to a 14,000-square-foot office space on Montgomery Street, previously occupied by Ripple Labs. Chief Bill Scott noted that the $2 million portion of the donation will cover a 16-month lease for this new space.

The remaining $7.4 million will enhance the city’s Drones as First Responder Program, which began in October 2024. This program allows trained officers to pilot drones from the safety of RTIC headquarters, a shift from the previous method of keeping drones in police cruisers for on-site use.

The new funding will enable the addition of 10 take-off locations, primarily at San Francisco fire stations, increasing the program’s reach. These sites will also support firefighters by providing drones with thermal imaging capabilities to assess fire situations and locate people in distress.

Technology and Public Safety Implications

The expanded drone program introduces significant upgrades to the SFPD’s operational capabilities. Drones like the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise are equipped with advanced features such as thermal imaging and high-resolution cameras, ideal for real-time surveillance and emergency response.

The addition of take-off sites will allow drones to cover the entire city more efficiently, a goal highlighted by RTIC representative Captain Thomas MacGuire, who stated, “We’re going to be covering the entire city with drones.”

From a regulatory perspective, the drones require FAA training for pilots, and the SFPD has ensured compliance by training officers accordingly. However, the expansion raises questions about privacy and surveillance in San Francisco, a city with a history of debating the balance between public safety and civil liberties. The SFPD’s prior adoption of surveillance tech under Proposition E faced scrutiny, and this new initiative may reignite those discussions.

Industry Trends and Future Outlook

The SFPD’s drone program aligns with a broader trend in law enforcement, where agencies increasingly rely on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to enhance response times and situational awareness. For drone professionals and recreational pilots, this development underscores the growing role of enterprise-grade drones in public safety applications.

Economically, the $9.4 million investment signals confidence in drone technology, potentially spurring further innovations in the sector. Chief Scott emphasized the program’s dual-purpose benefits, noting that the drones will “help them find people that are in distress” while supporting both police and fire services.

As San Francisco moves forward with this expanded drone network, the initiative could set a precedent for other cities, blending advanced technology with public safety in an increasingly connected urban landscape.