Drones

The Canadian government technology supplier has bought DroneSense, which sells software for increasingly popular drone-as-first-responder programs. It’s the latest such move in the public safety space.

New Chief Jason Stugelmeyer, a department veteran, is looking to improve its efficiency. Increasing technology use around report generation is one such potential area; using drones to improve officer safety is another.

The police drone program began in 2023, in response to thrill-seeking stunts that have lead to at least 16 deaths. In related news, the city has debuted a public safety alert tool on a popular app.

Though the sheriff's office has employed drones over the past decade, this new model will be remotely launched from a substation to respond to active crimes and emergency incidents over the next year.

By adding drones, an online listing reads, the police department would “enhance public safety, improve response times, and optimize situational awareness during critical incidents.”

So-called drone entertainment offers cities like Aspen and Parker a diverting but less flammable option to Fourth of July fireworks displays. The latter may have the “boom factor,” but could also ignite a wildfire.

The L.A. Police Commission, pointing to success at other departments around the nation, has approved an updated policy letting drones be used in more situations. These include “calls for service.”

Drones and aircraft were key in Minnesota's largest manhunt, helping capture an armed and dangerous man without further violence, reflecting a broader trend of law enforcement's growing reliance on aviation technology.

The City Council in San Rafael voted unanimously this month to renew the San Rafael Police Department's military equipment use policy, which included introducing a new drone program.

New executive orders seek to boost the use of drones in public safety, mandate the use of AI to speed up the drone waiver process and provide funding opportunities to boost anti-drone tech access.

The city is calling for tech companies to send proposals for such a program, via a request for qualifications. In it, officials suggest drones might be first on scene to 911 calls, better informing emergency crews.

The project, which this month has simulated delivery of Munson Healthcare supplies, lab samples and medications, has linked its facilities by drone. The endeavor received a second $950,000 state grant, announced earlier this week.

Texas-based startup Campus Guardian Angel hires professional drone racers, military veterans and former law enforcement officers to combat school shooters with on-campus drones piloted from a surveillance hub in Austin.

This fall, Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Michigan will use state funds to expand career and technical education, particularly drone aviation, as well as mechatronics and construction engineering.

The sheriff's office has five drones in use that have cut rescue times for people in peril from hours down to minutes. The devices are shared with other first responders across the Western Michigan county.

A state grant helped pay for the purchase of a drone. It is expected to be of assistance during search and recue operations, looking for hot spots during brush fires, and in helping warn fishermen.

As companies look to deploy drones to deliver goods to consumers, one obstacle to wider use has been concern over possible midair drone-to-drone collisions. A new system could change that.

The Drone814 initiative in the greater Johnstown, Pa., area will use drones to deliver supplies like defibrillators and EpiPens to local emergency scenes. The trials will compare the drones' speed to that of an ambulance.