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Shawnee County officials announce $5 million grant to expand realtime crime center, drone response
Summary
Sheriff Brian Hill and District Attorney Mike Kay announced a $5 million competitive grant to expand the county's realtime crime center, strengthen 911/dispatch and fund equipment and drones; officials estimated an 8–10 month timeline before hardware deployment.
Sheriff Brian Hill and District Attorney Mike Kay told commissioners on Jan. 12 that Shawnee County secured a competitive $5 million grant to support the county's Realtime Crime Center, related 911 enhancements and an expanded drone program.
Hill said the grant will help enhance the county's drone capability, explore drone hubs for faster first‑responder situational awareness, and invest in hardware for the realtime crime center and 911 operations. DA Mike Kay said the award came from a nationwide competitive process and that the application ranked among the top 2 percent nationally. Kay and Hill said the funds are grant monies and would not be a direct tax burden.
Officials estimated it will take several months to hire or designate a grant administrator and develop a strategic plan; they projected roughly eight to ten months before equipment begins to be installed. Commissioners applauded the announcement; the sheriff invited questions about the timeline and drone use for rapid scene assessment and traffic response.
