Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – The Edinburg Police Department is set to become the first law enforcement agency in the Rio Grande Valley to launch a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program—an innovative initiative designed to enhance emergency response and lifesaving capabilities.
Modeled after other nationally recognized programs, the DFR initiative will deploy drones to autonomously respond to emergency calls such as motor vehicle accidents, crimes in progress, critical incidents, and search-and-rescue operations. Equipped with high-definition cameras and thermal night vision, the drones can often arrive at the scene faster than the first responding officer by car.
The launch site will be based at a centralized location in Edinburg. From there, live-streamed aerial footage will provide communications operators, officers, and department commanders with real-time intelligence, improving situational awareness and allowing for better resource allocation before units arrive on the scene. The ultimate goal is to increase safety for both officers and the community.
“This is a historic step forward for public safety in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala. “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.”
Throughout the program’s development, the department prioritized citizen privacy and community trust. Drones will only be deployed in response to active calls for service or pre-approved public safety missions, and strict policies and oversight will govern their use.
The program was developed in alignment with federal and state regulatory guidelines to ensure operational transparency and responsible use. It is funded by the United States Treasury Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program.
