Plano approves drone as first responder program, joining other North Texas cities with new tech

In Plano, drones could soon get to emergency scenes before first responders.

The City Council unanimously approved a $1.4 million, five-year contract with Motorola Solutions for a drone as first responder program Monday, joining cities like Arlington, Fort Worth and Dallas — which launched its program earlier this year. 

The technology could collect and send information to an intelligence center ahead of officers’ arrival, improving their safety, police Chief Ed Drain said. The drones are able to detect heat to locate people from above and can reduce the likelihood of pursuits, according to the department. 

Some speakers at Monday’s meeting, however, voiced concerns about surveillance. 

“Why do we need to spend over a million dollars on yet another threat to our privacy?” asked Kyle McGeehan, a member of the political activist group Revolutionary Front DFW. “Do you know exactly how the footage captured by these machines will be used?”

Related: Dallas police deploy drones to 911 calls, hope to ‘clear those from the air’

Council members emphasized keeping up with the latest technology and the safety of first responders in their decision to approve the contract. 

“This program for five years for this 1.4 million is pittance compared to the loss of a police officer,” said council member Rick Horne. “I understand your concerns about surveillance. … I can guarantee that we will keep our eyes on that to make sure that is not violated.”

Plano’s contract with Motorola Solutions includes four automated drone docks to be placed on top of city buildings. If a call came in that a drone could assist with, the drone could fly from its dock to the scene within 2-3 minutes, said Drain. 

This could mean drones arrive faster than officers, who usually get to scenes within 5-8 minutes, Drain said. 

The department already has around 30 drones, Drain said, that fly from the back of police cars and are used by officers, traffic units and SWAT teams. 

The new drones would be operated by civilian professional staff, Drain said.

Related: Dallas could be next for drone-first 911 response. Here’s how Arlington does it

Docks are planned at four tentative locations: Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center, Plano Police Substation, Plano Aquatic Center and Plano Event Center.

The drones are not for surveillance, officials said, but would fly directly to emergency scenes and record them only when needed. State law prohibits the department from using drones for surveillance, Drain said. 

“There will be no surveillance,” Drain said. “We don’t save drone footage if there is no reason to save it.”

Maria Tu, a council member and criminal defense lawyer, said Plano needs “to keep up with the technology.” Council member Steve Lavine called the program “a great enhancement.” 

“Technology allows us to enhance our police force by being smarter,” Lavine said. “I don’t have that fear of being surveilled from the sky.”

Email tips on all things Collin County to lilly.kersh@dallasnews.com.