Drone-as-first-responder programs, pursuit footage, evidence policy, and the departments putting UAS on patrol.
Drones proved instrumental in a high-stakes manhunt in Minnesota, helping law enforcement capture a suspect after a two-day search involving over 100 officers. The New York Times reported that Vance Boelter, 57, was apprehended late Sunday night, June 15, 2025, in a field near Green Isle, Minnesota, after a massive operation that spanned roughly 1…
On June 14, 2025, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) utilized a Skydio X10 drone to oversee crowds during the No Kings protests along Fifth Avenue, marking a significant moment in urban drone surveillance. Amid ongoing demonstrations against President Trump and his administration, the NYPD’s Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU), a specialized team focused…
Silicon Valley investors are reshaping the U.S. drone landscape, funding police fleets with American-made drones while lobbying to ban Chinese manufacturer DJI, which dominates 90% of the U.S. consumer and public-safety drone market, according to Bard College research. This dual strategy aims to boost domestic drone makers like Skydio and curb DJI’s influence amid national…
As of June 2025, the Santa Fe Police Department is preparing to request City Council approval for a $500,000 upgrade to its drone program, aiming to deploy Skydio’s advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to enhance policing efficiency, according to details from The New Mexican. The initiative, which includes “drone as first responder” capabilities, promises faster…
In Oregon, Senate Bill 238A, currently under review, is stirring controversy by proposing to ease restrictions on law enforcement drone use, potentially reducing court oversight for surveillance. The bill, which passed the Senate with Democratic support, has drawn sharp criticism from privacy advocates and community groups who fear it could erode civil liberties, reports KATU…
Ocean City has introduced a groundbreaking addition to its public safety arsenal with the deployment of advanced life-saving drones equipped with inflatable rescue tubes. These innovative devices, featuring Chinese-made DJI Matrice drones, began patrolling the skies above the city’s beaches on Wednesday, June 11, as part of a new initiative by the Ocean City Police…
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…
On June 2, 2025, a routine traffic stop in Bennettsville, South Carolina, uncovered a sophisticated drone smuggling operation targeting Evans Correctional Institution, revealing the growing challenge of aerial contraband delivery in correctional facilities, according to WYFF News 4. Drones in Crime: A Rising Threat The Bennettsville Police Department initiated the bust during a traffic stop…
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