Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas — The Edinburg Police Department’s Drone First Responder (DFR) program, which kicked off in May, is now fully operational, making the department the first law enforcement agency in the Rio Grande Valley to deploy drones for real-time emergency response.
Modeled after nationally recognized programs, the DFR initiative dispatches drones to calls for service such as motor vehicle accidents, crimes in progress, critical incidents, and search-and-rescue operations. Equipped with high-definition cameras and thermal night vision, drones often arrive on scene faster than officers by vehicle.
The latest update to the program is the installation of two drone boxes on a centrally located building, providing live-streamed aerial footage to operators and commanders. This addition enhances situational awareness and optimizes resource allocation, further increasing safety for both officers and the community.
“This program allows us to reach people faster, assess threats sooner, and potentially save lives in ways we couldn’t before,” said Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala.
Drones are deployed only for active calls or pre-approved public safety missions, under strict policies designed to protect citizen privacy. The program adheres to federal and state guidelines and is funded by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program.
