OCEANSIDE, CA — The Oceanside Police Department has officially launched its Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot program, designed to improve response times, enhance officer safety, and provide real-time situational awareness during calls for service.
Approved by the Oceanside City Council, the 13-month pilot program will operate a drone from a rooftop location in downtown Oceanside. The drone will be dispatched to calls for service involving criminal activity, missing people, or other emergency incidents and will provide live video feed to responding officers and the department’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). The program will focus on calls occurring in the downtown area.
This initiative is funded through a $264,816 state grant awarded through the 2024 Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) program. The funding supports the purchase of drones, operations software, and staffing for safe drone flight operations. The program will be staffed by fully trained and certified drone pilots, each prepared to deploy the aircraft in compliance with FAA regulations and department protocols. A dedicated visual observer will also assist during each flight to ensure safe operations in the airspace.
The department has deployed a transparency portal where the public can view flight activity and details about calls the DFR program has responded to. The transparency website is available at the following link: https://dashboard.dronesense.com/oceansidepdca
Key Benefits of the Program Include:
- Faster Response Times: The drone can reach call locations within approximately one minute, significantly faster than traditional ground units.
- Improved Situational Awareness: Live aerial video helps first responders better understand scenes before arriving, aiding in decision-making and de-escalation.
- Efficient Resource Use: In similar programs across the country, drones have helped resolve a significant portion of calls without the need to dispatch ground officers.
- Privacy Safeguards: The program includes strict policies to govern when drones are launched, how footage is used, and how long data is retained. Flights prioritize public safety and are conducted with care to avoid unnecessary surveillance of private property.
The Oceanside Police Department is proud to be at the forefront of public safety innovations using modern tools to better protect the community, respond to emergencies, and support the safety of all who live, work, and visit Oceanside.
