police drone
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…
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…
Parker Police Drone Rescues Missing Child in Colorado
On May 30, 2025, Parker Police in Colorado used a DJI Matrice drone to locate a missing child, demonstrating the value of aerial technology in search-and-rescue missions. After ground crews failed to find the child in a remote area, the…
Cleveland Explores Drone as First Responder Program for Fire and EMS 911 Calls
Cleveland, Ohio, is taking a bold step toward modernizing emergency response by exploring the use of drones for fire and EMS 911 calls. The city has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to technology firms, inviting proposals for a “Drone…
California Court Orders Chula Vista Police to Release Drone Videos, Setting Precedent for Transparency
A San Diego judge has mandated the release of 25 Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) drone videos from March 2021, ending a four-year legal battle led by La Prensa publisher Art Castañares. This landmark ruling, reported by CBS 8, requires…
Oregon House Passes Strict Drone Interference Law, Escalating Penalties to Felony Status
In a unanimous vote, the Oregon House has approved House Bill 3426, a measure that significantly strengthens penalties for drone operators who disrupt emergency response operations, elevating intentional interference to a Class C felony. Reported by KOBI-TV NBC5, the legislation,…
Aspen Police Drone Program Enhances Public Safety with Advanced UAV Technology
Five months into its pioneering drone program, the Aspen Police Department is leveraging cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to bolster public safety, manage crowds, and conduct search-and-rescue operations, according to the Aspen Times. This initiative aligns with a growing trend…
Oklahoma City Police Drone Rescues Man Struck by Train, Showcasing Skydio’s First Responder Capabilities
In a remarkable display of drone technology’s life-saving potential, the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) recently released footage of a Skydio drone used to locate and rescue a man critically injured after being struck by a train. The incident, which…
Syracuse Police Drone Program’s $619,000 Budget For 5 Drones Signals Blue sUAS Tech
Syracuse, New York, is poised to launch a pioneering “Drone as First Responder” program, expanding from high-priority 911 calls to any incident deemed to enhance public safety, according to a City Hall news release. Backed by a $619,000 budget for…
Oregon Senate Bill 238 Advances: Police Drones Set for Expanded Role in 911 Responses
On April 7, 2025, Oregon’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-1 to advance Senate Bill 238, a proposal to broaden police drone use for 911 calls, suspect pursuits, and search operations, according to OregonLive. The bill, now headed to the Senate…
Dublin Police Launch Autonomous Drone First Responder Program with 90-Second Emergency Response Times
The city of Dublin, Ohio is setting a new benchmark for emergency response with the deployment of four autonomous drones capable of reaching incidents within 90 seconds. According to The Columbus Dispatch, the Drone First Responders program will be the…
SFPD Drone Shot at in Outer Sunset: A Test for Police UAS Technology
On March 8, 2025, a tense standoff in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood put the SFPD’s drone program under scrutiny. A suspect allegedly fired at a police drone—marking a potential first since the department began using unmanned aerial systems (UAS)…