JSO's Eagle Eye patrol-based drone program has already proven its value by:

• Locating missing and endangered people.
• Tracking dangerous suspects.
• Recovering critical evidence.
• Providing thermal imaging and live aerial support during fires and other emergencies.

Now, JSO is building on that success with the agency's new Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot program.

Unlike traditional drone deployments, DFR drones launch remotely from strategically placed docks and can arrive on scene before patrol officers, providing real-time intelligence that helps officers understand what's happening before they pull up. A skilled member of JSO's Unmanned Aerial Systems team controls the drone from headquarters and relays the information to responding units.

In recent deployments, DFR drones reached scenes in as little as 42 seconds, located suspects before patrol arrived, and guided officers safely to their exact locations.

This technology doesn't replace police officers. It gives them another tool: one that improves situational awareness, enhances officer safety, helps protect the public, and ultimately leads to better outcomes.

Thanks to $610,000 in state funding, JSO is also expanding its drone capabilities with additional Eagle Eye drones and new equipment that will allow officers to serve more neighborhoods across Jacksonville.

To view the post regarding this new program on JSO's social media platforms, please click on one of the following links: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | X