Democracy Dies in Darkness

Police nationwide are embracing a new first responder: Drones

Law enforcement agencies tout the technology as lifesaving for both officers and community members, while critics raise surveillance and privacy concerns.

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A drone lands for a battery swap at Rockaway Beach in Queens, on July 11, 2024. (Seth Wenig/AP)
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In dozens of U.S. cities, the next time you call 911, a drone might show up before an officer does.

The technology behind that — “Drone as First Responder,” or DFR — has skyrocketed in popularity among police departments nationwide since the Federal Aviation Administration streamlined the process for agencies to adopt the program this spring. While it could previously take up to a year to get approval, it now often takes just days.

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