News Summary
The Huntington Beach Police Department is set to implement its Drones as First Responders Program on September 13, significantly reducing emergency response times. By deploying drones equipped to assess situations before officers arrive, response times are expected to drop from five minutes to two. This program aims to minimize false alarms and free up officers for critical calls. With support from the FAA, the department has introduced certified drone pilots to enhance situational awareness at emergency scenes. There are also plans for future expansion of the program.
Huntington Beach, CA – Starting September 13, the Huntington Beach Police Department will implement its Drones as First Responders Program, aimed at significantly improving emergency response times to selected 911 calls. The initiative seeks to cut response times from an average of five minutes to just two minutes by deploying drones equipped to assess situations before officers arrive on the scene.
The program is designed to minimize response to false reports and unnecessary situations by allowing drones to investigate certain incidents. This will help free up officers to focus on calls that require direct human intervention.
This new drone program builds on an earlier project initiated in 2018, which was limited by federal regulations. Previously, operators were required to maintain a visual line-of-sight with the drones. However, recent advancements have led to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate that enables the police department to remotely operate drones from three strategically located rooftop docks within the city.
Drones to Enhance Situational Awareness
The selected docking stations are located in downtown Huntington Beach, south Huntington Beach, and near Bella Terra, providing coverage for key areas. Drones can arrive quickly at emergency scenes and gather critical evidence, such as the number of people present and vehicles involved. This capability can also enable the capture of footage related to crimes in progress and assist in searching for missing persons.
Operational decisions regarding drone deployment will depend on the potential evidentiary value of the video footage related to specific calls. The police department has established a team of 17 certified drone pilots who have completed rigorous training, including passing an FAA exam and undergoing certification training with the police department.
Program Costs and Future Plans
The total cost of the drone program is estimated at approximately $120,000 annually, which includes equipment, installation, training, and ongoing support. The department is optimistic about expanding the drone program further, with plans to add more docking stations across the city in the future.
Addressing Concerns
While the introduction of drones has been met with excitement for its potential benefits, there are concerns regarding privacy and the potential for police surveillance. The department emphasizes that the program is strictly reactive, designed to respond only to service calls rather than to conduct general surveillance within the city.
Similar drone response programs have been implemented in various cities across the nation, including Irvine, Hawthorne, Chicago, New York, and Oklahoma City. These initiatives highlight a growing trend of law enforcement agencies utilizing drone technology to enhance operational efficiency and public safety.
Technological Partnership
The Huntington Beach Police Department has partnered with Skydio, a company specializing in drone technology, to implement this program. This partnership addresses concerns regarding potential bans on foreign-made drones and ensures that local police operations remain compliant with national regulations and security standards.
The addition of drones to the Huntington Beach Police Department’s emergency response capabilities is expected to enhance situational awareness and improve overall effectiveness in managing crime and emergencies, according to local authorities. As the program unfolds, residents can anticipate a more rapid and efficient response to incidents in their community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach Police Department Readies Drones
- OC Register: Unmanned Drones to Replace Officers
- ABC7: Huntington Beach Police Using Drones
- Patch: OC Police Department Launches Drone Program
- LAist: Huntington Beach Adds Drones to Police Force
- Wikipedia: Drone Technology
- Google Search: Drones in Policing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drone
- Google News: Huntington Beach Police Drones
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
