Police

Drone-as-first-responder programs, pursuit footage, evidence policy, and the departments putting UAS on patrol.

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Aug 10

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A shark seen beneath the surface in NYPD aerial footage off a New York City beach

Beach Safety

NYPD Drones Track 7 Sharks as Rockaway Closures Nearly Double

NYPD drones have tracked seven sharks off New York City beaches in 2026 while Rockaway Beach logged 45 shark-related closures, up from 24 at the same point last summer.

Rafael SuárezJul 31

NYPD drone view of subway surfers riding atop a moving B train in Brooklyn

Police Drones

NYPD Drone Tracks Subway Surfers, Five Teens Arrested

An NYPD drone spotted six people riding atop a moving B train in Brooklyn, tracked them from the air, and guided officers to arrest five teenagers. Police also recovered six stolen MTA keys from a 14-year-old suspect.

Rafael SuárezJul 27

Ocean County Sheriff's Office drone delivering a flotation device to a swimmer off Surf City, New Jersey

Search & Rescue

Ocean County Drone Reaches Swimmer After Lifeguards Left

An Ocean County sheriff's drone dropped a Restube flotation device to a young swimmer caught in a rip current off Surf City after lifeguards had gone home for the day.

Rafael SuárezJul 25

Skydio

Spokane's Skydio Drones Hit 400 Flights In Three Weeks

Spokane police say four Skydio X10 drones flew about 400 missions in three weeks, including a pursuit where the aircraft tracked suspects overhead after patrol cars backed off.

Rafael SuárezJul 25

Police

Lincolnshire Police Drone Tracks Mini Moto Rider To Arrest

Lincolnshire Police used its drone unit to track a mini moto rider across roads and footpaths in Gainsborough, ending the chase with an arrest instead of a dangerous ground pursuit.

Rafael SuárezJul 25

A DJI Matrice-series drone flies during the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office drone demonstration in Troy, New York

Funding

New York Puts $75 Million Behind Police Drones, And Rensselaer County Can't Touch A Dollar Of It

New York's $75 million LETECH program funds police drones and counter-drone gear, but an ICE clause locks out Rensselaer County, whose photographed fleet of DJI and Autel aircraft faces a federal squeeze of its own.

Haye KestelooJul 24

BRINC Responder drone lifting off from a docking station

DFR

League City Police To Fly BRINC 911 Drones By December

League City Police Department plans to launch a Drone as First Responder program by December after city council approved a Motorola Solutions pilot agreement built around BRINC aircraft, with the first year free and a six-year contract value of up to $1,759,980 if the city keeps the program.

Rafael SuárezJul 21

Police

Beaver Dam Police Show Drone Unit to Summer School Kids

Beaver Dam police officers brought their drone unit into the city's Intro to Police Work summer school class, giving elementary-age students a hands-on look at how the department flies real public-safety missions.

Rafael SuárezJul 21

Police

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