Police Drones in Fulton Show Success as Syracuse Weighs Launching Its Own Program

FULTON, N.Y. — The Syracuse Police Department (SPD) is seeking the city’s approval for a new drone program to assist with high-priority incidents, following the proven success of the Fulton Police Department’s aerial operations. WSYR-TV reports that Fulton’s drones have demonstrated wide-ranging benefits beyond crime-fighting, particularly in search and rescue missions.

Fulton Police Demonstrate Critical Drone Capabilities

The Fulton Police Department’s drone program has become a versatile tool for both law enforcement and community safety. According to Lt. Jarrett Marino of the Fulton Police, drones have been instrumental in search and rescue efforts, especially when vulnerable individuals such as Alzheimer’s or dementia patients wander into wooded or difficult-to-access areas.

“It’s not just locating a suspect of an incident,” Marino explained. “We use them for search and rescue operations.”

Marino emphasized that drones give officers the ability to quickly survey terrain that would otherwise require significant time and manpower to cover on foot. The rapid aerial perspective can mean the difference between life and death in time-sensitive rescue situations.

Addressing Safety Without Sacrificing Privacy

While discussions in Syracuse have raised concerns about privacy and data sharing, Fulton officials insist these issues have not been a problem in their community.

“We’re not utilizing the drones to invade the community’s privacy,” Marino said.

Instead, he underscored that the department deploys drones only when public safety is at stake — whether that’s locating a missing loved one, tracking a fleeing suspect, or managing a dangerous critical incident.

Syracuse Police Seek City Approval

The Syracuse Police Department now hopes to mirror Fulton’s success, but final approval rests with city leaders and the public. A special hearing has been scheduled for September 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers, where residents will have the opportunity to voice concerns and ask questions about the proposed use of unmanned aerial systems.

If adopted, Syracuse’s drones would deploy in much the same way as Fulton’s, with a focus on urgent response scenarios, community safety, and tactical operations.

Tailoring Drone Use to Community Needs

For both departments, drone technology offers an efficient, flexible tool to enhance public safety. By providing aerial coverage in emergencies, drones reduce risks for officers and give law enforcement a force-multiplying advantage. Still, as Syracuse considers adoption, balancing operational benefits against public concern will be a defining factor in the program’s acceptance.

DroneXL’s Take

The steady expansion of police drone programs, like Fulton’s, demonstrates the growing role of unmanned aircraft in public safety. For search and rescue, surveillance during critical incidents, and rapid situational awareness, drone technology provides measurable benefits. But Syracuse’s upcoming hearing highlights how closely these programs are linked to community trust.

Recent Drone as First Responder initiatives across the U.S. — including San Diego and Chula Vista — have shown both strong operational success and persistent privacy debates. As Syracuse evaluates its program, critical questions remain: How will data be stored and shared? Who will oversee usage to guard against overreach?

The conversation around law enforcement drones is no longer if they’ll be used, but how. Syracuse residents will soon shape what that answer looks like in their city.

What do you think — should police departments expand drone use despite privacy concerns? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Photos courtesy of Local Syr.