AI Drones May Reach Boise Emergencies Before Police

If you call 911 in Meridian, Idaho, drones could soon be the first responder, quietly lifting off from a rooftop dock and arriving overhead in roughly two minutes, as reported by Idaho Stateman.

The Meridian Police Department plans to launch three dedicated Drone as First Responder units by mid March, giving officers what they describe as first eyes on emergencies ranging from thefts to missing persons cases.

Unlike traditional police drones that are transported to a scene and launched after officers arrive, these aircraft will be stationed at automated docking sites across high call volume areas of the city.

From police headquarters, an officer can deploy a drone with a single command, sending live video back long before patrol units arrive. According to department data, officers currently average just under four minutes for the city’s highest priority calls.

Lt. Brandon Frasier, a department spokesperson, says the program will cost approximately $180,000 per year and is designed to conserve resources while improving safety for officers and civilians alike. In some situations, a single drone in the air could prevent the need to tie up dozens of officers by providing immediate situational awareness.

How automation and AI reshape police response

The drones rely heavily on automation to move quickly and safely through urban airspace. Pre programmed flight routes and AI powered obstacle avoidance allow the aircraft to navigate toward incidents with minimal manual input, while a trained officer initiates and monitors each flight in real time.

From the aerial video feed, officers can determine whether suspects are armed, where they are moving, and whether additional units are actually needed. This information can reduce unnecessary deployments and allow officers to focus on higher risk calls elsewhere in the city.

Meridian police currently operate a mixed fleet that includes DJI Matrice 30 series drones and DJI Avata 2 FPV drones. The Matrice 30 is used for its weather resistance, reliable communications, and strong zoom and thermal imaging capabilities, while the Avata 2 allows officers to fly in confined spaces or complex environments.

Department officials have also indicated they are considering a future transition toward Skydio X10 drones, following a growing trend among U.S. law enforcement agencies.

While the drones are technically capable of two way audio, police say they will not be speaking to the public through them. Every flight requires human authorization and continuous oversight, reinforcing that the system is not fully autonomous.

Transparency and public trust in eyes from above

Police leaders emphasize that residents should not expect noticeable changes in daily life. The department has used drones for nearly a decade, primarily for crash investigations and select calls. The shift now is speed and proactive deployment, not a new surveillance mission.

To address privacy concerns, the department plans to launch a public dashboard showing when drones are flown, for what type of call, and in what general area. Officials say the drones will not be used for random monitoring and will only be deployed in response to specific incidents.

The drone program is part of a broader technology investment that includes AI assisted body cameras, automated public records tools, and systems that allow schools or businesses to voluntarily share video footage. Much of the funding comes from previously budgeted positions that remained unfilled, rather than new spending.

DroneXL’s Take

Meridian’s Drone as First Responder program is built on solid fundamentals and proven aircraft. The DJI Matrice 30 remains one of the most capable compact enterprise drones available today, offering a strong balance of endurance, sensor quality, and reliability. The Avata 2 adds flexibility in environments where traditional drones struggle.

The possible shift toward Skydio X10 drones is harder to justify from a performance or cost standpoint. Skydio platforms excel in autonomy and US laws compliance, but they are neither cheaper nor clearly superior in imaging, obstacle detection or endurance compared to DJI’s enterprise lineup. For departments already operating Matrice systems, the benefits of switching remain unclear.

Of course, drone procurement decisions are not made in a vacuum. Policy pressure and procurement incentives increasingly influence what agencies buy.

In Meridian’s case, the drones already in service appear fully capable of delivering faster, safer responses. And at the end of the day, it is not our money.

Photo credit: Sarah A. Miller