Frisco is gearing up to put police drones into regular service. Last Tuesday, the City Council voted to amend its agreement with Flock Group and authorize a drone-as-a-first-responder program for the Frisco Police Department. The deal covers six drones, docking stations, cameras, and supporting software at a total price of roughly $427,500. City staff said the city will initially cover the cost, then seek state grant reimbursement to help offset the bill.
According to Community Impact, the package includes six drones with docking stations, batteries, and both thermal and high-definition cameras. Software features listed in the council agenda include remote piloting, air-traffic awareness tools, a spectator-view mobile app, and a community engagement dashboard. The item notes that Frisco will pay for the system up front and then apply to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority grant program for reimbursement.
Prosper, the North Texas town that rolled out what it called the state’s first Flock Aerodome “drone as a first responder” system this spring, reports that its deployed drones can reach nearby scenes in roughly 86 seconds, using automated battery-swapping docks and integration with license-plate readers. In a press release, the Town of Prosper described the Aerodome as featuring Detect-and-Avoid radar and direct ties to Flock’s license-plate reader platform…