$427K grant brings drone as a first responder program to Frisco Police Department

Frisco police will be part of a team that uses drones to respond to motor vehicle crimes.

Frisco City Council approved a $427,500 award that will establish a drone as a first responder program for the Frisco Police Department at its meeting Sept. 2.

The grant money will pay for hardware, software and services for the program.

The hardware includes the drones, cameras, batteries and docks. The software includes remote piloting, air traffic awareness, a mobile app and community engagement dashboard. The police will also be provided regulatory services from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The details

The program will allow the local police to collaborate with a regional task force established by the town of Prosper. Prosper was the first city in the state to implement the drone as a first responder, or DFR, program in Texas.

The task force is meant to combat motor vehicle crime with drone technology in an effort to decrease response times, increase situational awareness and keep people safe, according to city documents.

The drones can be deployed remotely and be on the scene within a 3-mile radius within 90 seconds, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The drones come in different sizes to respond to a variety of scenarios. Small drones will be able to fit into tighter spaces, for example.

What happened?

The town of Prosper established the Northern Collin/Denton County Auto Theft Task Force in 2024, later starting the drone as a first responder program, the first in the state.

It is now collaborating with neighboring law enforcement agencies including the police departments in Celina and Frisco, as well as the sheriff’s offices in Denton and Collin counties.

The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority is providing the Frisco grant, which totals $387,840. The city is providing a matching amount of $39,660.

Frisco saw an increase in response times between 2023-24, which city officials hope to combat with the new drone as a first responder program.

“Utilizing drone technology in this capacity has proven to enhance public safety efforts in other cities, as it provides for a more adept response to critical incidents, increases officer safety, and delivers a greater level of service to our residents,” said Grant Cottingham, Frisco Police Department’s public information office, in an emailed statement.

Cottingham said the department is still working on the details of the program, such as what drone company will be used, how many the department will have and where they will be stationed in the city.