Edinburg Police Department makes Valley history with new 'Drone First Responder' program

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edinburg Police Department will become the first law enforcement agency in the Rio Grande Valley to launch a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program.

The DFR is modeled after other nationally recognized programs and is designed to deploy drones to respond to emergency calls, including motor vehicle accidents, crimes in progress, critical incidents, and search-and-rescue operations.

The drones are equipped with high-definition cameras and thermal night vision, and can often arrive at the scene faster than the first responding officer by car.

“The Drone First Responder Program gives us the ability to reach people faster, assess threats sooner, and potentially save lives in ways we couldn’t before. It’s about smarter policing, quicker aid, and safer outcomes—for both our officers and our residents," said Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Asset Forfeiture Program.