Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Public safety is evolving and so are we.
As Jacksonville continues to grow, we are investing in technology that helps our officers respond faster, make more informed decisions, and better protect our community.
Our 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, we're building on that success with our 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 our 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 us to serve more neighborhoods across Jacksonville.
Public safety is evolving and so are we.
As Jacksonville continues to grow, we are investing in technology that helps our officers respond faster, make more informed decisions, and better protect our community.
Our 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, we're building on that success with our 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 our 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 us to serve more neighborhoods across Jacksonville.
