The Santa Ana City Council in Orange County, California, has officially approved a new Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program, giving police a faster way to respond to emergencies while placing firm limits on how the technology can be used.
The program includes the purchase of five drones and authorizes a three-year contract worth up to $682,900, funded through state and local law enforcement assistance grants. City leaders say the goal is simple: get officers better information, faster, while putting clear guardrails around how the technology is used.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua frames the move as a balance between innovation and accountability. She insists the DFR program will help officers respond more quickly, gather real-time information during emergencies, and even support de-escalation — without compromising constitutional rights or community trust…