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Mission highlights new police drone, EMS in-house revenue and improved response metrics
Summary
City leaders presented public-safety updates: deployment of an unmanned aerial vehicle 'Lakota,' police response and crime figures, roughly $2.2 million in police grant awards, and Mission EMS reporting thousands of emergency calls and about $5.7 million in revenue since bringing EMS in‑house.
City officials spotlighted public-safety investments and operational metrics at the event.
Mayor Nori Gonzalez Carza described 'Lakota,' a new unmanned aerial vehicle the Mission Police Department unveiled for public-safety use and emergency response; the mayor said the drone is intended to deploy rapidly to 9-1-1 calls, is equipped with infrared night vision, lights, sirens, audio/video and a parachute for emergency drops.
Mayor Pro Tem Ruben Plata presented department response numbers and grant support: he said Mission Police responded to more than 55,000 calls for service, made over 2,600 arrests, and reported a crime reduction of more than 14%. Plata also said the department secured approximately $2,200,000 in grant funding for equipment, officer safety, training and technology.
Councilwoman Marissa Gerlach reviewed Mission Fire and EMS activity after the city assumed primary responsibility for medical emergency services in April 2024. She said Mission EMS responded to more than 6,600 emergency calls and transported over 5,200 patients in 2025, and that the EMS program has generated about $5,700,000 in revenue to support continued public-safety investments.
Officials presented these items as accomplishments and ongoing investments rather than items requiring an immediate council vote. Several leaders emphasized the connection between technology, training and community outreach as part of a strategy to improve public safety.
