Edinburg Police Launch Drone First Responder Program

EDINBURG, Texas - The Edinburg Police Department has launched a Drone First Responder program, becoming the first law enforcement agency in the Rio Grande Valley to use unmanned aircraft to respond to emergency calls.

Police Chief Jaime Ayala said drones can be deployed within seconds during active incidents, including disturbances, burglaries, vehicle crashes and fires.

“We have drones ready to deploy with the push of a button,” Ayala said. “Dispatchers can send a drone to a location and immediately see what is happening.”

The drones launch from a centralized site and transmit live video to police personnel, allowing officers to assess conditions before arriving.

“The aerial perspective helps us understand the situation early,” Ayala said.

Equipped with high definition cameras and thermal imaging, the drones can assist in locating missing persons, tracking suspects and supporting search operations in low visibility.

“Thermal imaging gives us another tool to find missing persons or suspects,” Ayala said. “It also provides aerial support at a lower cost than a helicopter.”

The program is modeled after similar systems used by law enforcement agencies across the country and is funded through the U.S. Treasury Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program.

Officials said drones are used only for active calls for service or approved public safety missions and operate under established department policies and regulatory guidelines.

Ayala said the initiative also supports the department’s community policing approach, with officers assigned to specific areas to work with residents and local organizations.

“Our goal is to respond quickly and provide effective service to the community,” Ayala said.