New York City Mayor Eric Adams unveiled the city’s latest innovation in policing: the “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program.

This initiative is set to enhance the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) response capabilities, allowing drones to respond to emergency calls quickly, provide live aerial footage, and increase the safety and efficiency of police operations.

“My North Star is public safety,” said Mayor Adams. “We are not going to leave any stone unturned to accomplish that task. Drones offer a cost-effective way of using the skies to keep New Yorkers safe.” The DFR program is now operational in five precincts across three boroughs, including Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan’s Central Park precinct.

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Drones have already proven their effectiveness in high-stakes situations. As Adams recalled, “On October 12th, a drone helped save a child’s life by identifying their exact location on a building ledge within seconds of receiving the emergency call.”

Public safety officials say the DFR program will address a range of emergency situations, including searches for missing persons, responses to gunshot alerts, and crime scenes. These drones, controlled remotely by trained NYPD personnel, provide real-time footage that assists officers in making swift and informed decisions. Interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon emphasized, “Our Drone as First Responder program is the next step in our tradition of embracing cutting-edge technology to keep the people we serve safe.”

With over 2,300 calls responded to since its inception, the program has already become a “force multiplier” in public safety.