If you live in Minnetonka, Brooklyn Park or Golden Valley, you may have noticed a new sound during police calls: the distinct buzz of a quadcopter.
“Drone as First Responder” (DFR) programs have expanded rapidly in late 2025. In November, Brooklyn Park Police launched a $4.6 million system with autonomous drones stationed on rooftops, capable of reaching any 911 call in the city within 90 seconds. Minnetonka followed suit with a similar fleet in August.
While this technology allows officers to “see” a scene before they arrive, it has raised valid privacy concerns. Here is what Minnesota law actually says about the camera hovering over your neighborhood…