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Silicon Valley Billionaires Fund Police Drones, Push to Ban Chinese Giant DJI
Police

Silicon Valley Billionaires Fund Police Drones, Push to Ban Chinese Giant DJI

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…

Santa Fe Police Seek 2025 Drone Program Expansion Amid Privacy Debates
Skydio

Santa Fe Police Seek 2025 Drone Program Expansion Amid Privacy Debates

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…

Oregon’s Senate Bill 238A Sparks Privacy Concerns Over Drone Surveillance
Police

Oregon’s Senate Bill 238A Sparks Privacy Concerns Over Drone Surveillance

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…

New Life-Saving Drones Take Flight Over Ocean City Beaches
Police

New Life-Saving Drones Take Flight Over Ocean City Beaches

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…

Senators Demand DJI Drone Disclosures from Contractors at Nuclear and Border Sites
DJI

SFPD Expands Drone Program with $9.4M Donation to Boost Citywide Surveillance

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…

FAA's ICE NOTAM Gets Teeth: Change 13 Is the Enforcement Escalation Drone Pilots Should Fear - DJI Air 3S vs Mavic 3 Pro Drone Comparison
Police

Drone Smuggling Bust in South Carolina Exposes Prison Contraband Risks

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…

Hong Kong Police Expand Drone Patrols: A New Era for Law Enforcement
Police

Hong Kong Police Expand Drone Patrols: A New Era for Law Enforcement

The Hong Kong Police Force has launched an expanded drone patrol program, targeting both rural borders and urban centers to boost crime detection. Reported by the South China Morning Post, this initiative highlights the growing role of drones in law enforcement while addressing the delicate balance between efficiency and public privacy concerns. Drone Patrols: What’s…

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