Drones

The City Council approved a six-year, nearly $1 million pact that will enable police to field the devices and obtain incident information before officers arrive on scene. The drones will likely cover dock areas.

The Spokane Police Department will get four surveillance drones and a suite of quick-deploy road barriers to help protect Team Egypt while the region serves as the team's base camp.

A Connecticut-based company is aiming to have drones that will send real-time aerial data to first responders during wildfires, hurricanes and natural disasters by the end of the year.

County commissioners approved a contract that will begin with a free nine-month pilot, but could extend to a three-year, $2.5 million pact. Residents voiced a variety of concerns about the drone program.

County commissioners will consider expanding the sheriff’s office's use of Flock Safety technology by adding drones through a nine-month pilot program that is free to the jurisdiction.

County commissioners will vote on accepting a nearly $10.7 million federal grant that would help police spot and deal with unauthorized drones during 2026 FIFA World Cup games in June.

The National League of Cities will work with tech company BRINC to educate cities, towns and villages on standing up drone-as-first-responder programs. That includes assistance on FAA approvals and training.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation demonstration project, one of eight selected by the FAA, will test using electric drones and aircraft to shuttle medical supplies to and from rural facilities.

The program would involve sending drones out on 911 calls ahead or instead of police officers and would require a new technology contract. One result so far has been a saved life.

The City Council voted 5-1 to accept a nearly $21,000 state grant to purchase a drone for police. Vice Mayor Curt Diemer, the lone vote against, urged the city to take a serious look at “shrinking liberty.”

The world’s biggest sporting event, set for the U.S., Canada and Mexico, is months away, and that means gov tech suppliers are preparing to make sure everyone stays safe. Drones are a main area of concern.

A police official said that Flock Safety is providing one drone on loan for the town police force to try out, and they intend to start using it to get aerial coverage of Lewiston’s summer events.

Engineers and veterinarians at the University of California, Davis converted a metal barn into a research facility, where rows of infrared cameras record birds of prey in motion to help inform drone designs.

The White House is expected to give the New York Police Department the authority to ground unauthorized drones around major events. The department also plans to roll out a new 311 dispatch system.

The Santa Ana Police Department is proposing to spend about $683,000 on a contract to launch the city’s drone program, pending approval from the City Council.

A bipartisan package of proposed laws would bar drone operators from overflying state-owned property and “critical infrastructure.” The state would also have to develop an app for pilots.

A donation of more than $400,000 enabled the county police department to add two new drones to its fleet of seven. Among residents, however, concerns over being surveilled persist.

Entities including an uncrewed aviation company are exploring use cases. Organizers indicate the city’s proximity to training and National Guard drone operations make it a good fit.