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Rancho Cucamonga approves $1.44 million drone‑as‑first‑responder program
Summary
Council approved a staff recommendation to buy six drones and supporting systems for a drone‑as‑first‑responder program intended to speed response times and provide real‑time incident information; the motion carried unanimously with two members absent.
The Rancho Cucamonga City Council voted on March 18 to approve a drone‑as‑first‑responder program and authorize procurement of six drones and supporting equipment under a cooperative agreement at a total cost of $1,439,986 to be paid over three years.
Sgt. Brett Hanes and Lieutenant Mauricio Hurtado of the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department told the council the program would allow trained drone operators to launch remotely from six planned sites and often arrive on scene before deputies, providing real‑time video, two‑way public address and the ability to drop small medical payloads.
"This approach allows drones to be launched immediately, flown remotely, and arrive on scene before deputies," Brett Hanes said, adding that the system is designed to give responding supervisors live information so deputies are not sent into unknown situations.
Presenters described safety features (bright lighting to identify units, a public address system, two‑way communication and recorded flights with a public‑facing dashboard) and said FAA rules require one operator per aircraft while airborne.
A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made and seconded on the council floor; the clerk recorded that the "motion carries unanimously" with Councilmember Hutchinson and Mayor Pro Tem Kennedy absent.
Council members asked about staffing, privacy safeguards and whether drones could support fire and medical responses; presenters said drones could carry medical supplies and that every flight would be documented and added to a public dashboard on the city website.
