Cleveland Metroparks Tests Drones for Rescues and Police Calls

By early summer, Cleveland Metroparks will begin testing public safety drones along its eight lakefront properties, with one clear priority in mind: water rescues where seconds matter.

The parks system has partnered with BRINC to trial two Drone as First Responder units at no cost for one year, giving the department time to see whether the technology delivers real world value before committing long term, as Signal Cleveland reported.

Police Chief Kelly Stillman expects the drones to be operational by May. Stationed along the lakefront, they can be launched within minutes to locate people in distress, relay live video to responders, and even deliver life saving gear such as lifejackets, Narcan, or an EpiPen. F

or incidents on open water, where visibility is poor and access is slow, that speed could be the difference between rescue and recovery.

If the pilot proves successful, Cleveland Metroparks can extend the contract for three additional years at just under $120,000 per year. Stillman’s benchmark for success is simple. If the drones help save even one life, the program will be worth it.

A new set of eyes for responding officers

Metroparks officials stress that the drones are not replacing officers or changing response protocols. Instead, they add a layer of information before boots hit the ground. Supervisors decide when a drone is launched, and every flight is tied to a specific call for service.

Live video can be viewed by officers en route, while higher level incidents can be monitored by command staff through the BRINC app. If a report is generated, drone footage is attached as digital evidence, complete with details such as flight duration, altitude, and patterns. These records are public and available through standard public records requests.

Stillman is also careful to address privacy concerns head on. “This isn’t Big Brother,” he said, emphasizing that drones will not be used to casually monitor park visitors. They are deployed only in response to calls, not to patrol for minor infractions.

Surveillance with limits and a closer look at the drone

The drones can be used for surveillance, but only with a defined purpose. For example, if police receive intelligence about repeated drug activity at a marina or beach, a drone could observe the area remotely, reducing the need for constant physical presence. If suspicious activity is observed, officers can respond based on real time information.

At the center of the program is the BRINC Responder, a drone built specifically for public safety. It weighs about 3.3 pounds, flies up to 48 mph, and can stay airborne for as long as 42 minutes. With an IPX4 rating, it can operate in light rain, and its operating temperature range spans from winter cold to peak summer heat.

The sensor package is designed for day or night use, combining a Full HD camera with up to 40x plus zoom and a 640 pixel thermal imager. Obstacle avoidance is handled by forward LiDAR and onboard tracking cameras, while secure communications use AES 256 encryption. Two way audio allows operators to speak to people on the ground, and payload options include medical supplies or a glass breaker for emergencies.

Automated launch and recovery are supported through a weather resistant charging station, allowing the drones to stay ready without constant human handling.

DroneXL’s Take

Programs like this show where public safety drones are quietly heading. Less spectacle, more utility. Cleveland Metroparks is not pitching futuristic patrols or constant aerial monitoring.

Instead, it is testing whether fast eyes in the sky can shorten response times, improve situational awareness, and keep people alive in the most unforgiving environment the parks manage: open water.

If the technology proves itself during rescues, the broader law enforcement use will likely follow naturally, not because it looks impressive, but because it works.

Photo credit: Brinc, Cleveland Metroparks,