Newport Beach: Stories From the Coast
Oct 4, 2026 · 5 min · 5 segments
Newport Beach is significantly expanding its police drone program after officers deployed drones 912 times during a recent three-month period. The aircraft reached scenes before officers nearly 65…
For decades, someone called 911.
The first eyes on the scene usually belonged to a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic.
Let me say that correctly.
The Newport Beach Police Department deployed drones 912 times during a recent three-month period, sending them to crimes, traffic accidents, and other incidences requiring police intervention.
The drones arrived before officers almost 65% of the time.
That statistic helps explain why Newport Beach is now investing heavily in expanding the program.
The amendment is expected to cost $750,000 during the first year and more than $4.5 million over the remaining six years.
The concept is often called drone as first responder.
It's actually working very well in many cities.
Instead of waiting for an officer to physically reach a location, a drone can be launched and flown toward the call.
Its camera can transmit live video to police, potentially allowing officers to see what is happening while patrol units are still traveling to the scene.
Let's look at an example.
A suspicious person report.
Ordinarily, officers responding to the call may know little beyond the information provided by the caller.
A drone arriving first could potentially determine whether the person is still present, whether the individual is moving, whether a vehicle is involved, or whether the situation appears different from the original report.
Newport Beach's early numbers provide an indication of how the technology is being used.
Police reported that drones located people in 22% of deployments, vehicles in nearly 12%, and objects in about 4%.
The department also uses them to provide officers with aerial intelligence and overwatch during incidents.
Geography is another factor.
Newport Beach includes hills, dense development, and tall buildings, all of which can create communication challenges.
Police officials said the drone technology was selected partly because of its ability to operate under those conditions and integrate with the systems the department already uses.
New Pure Beach, as I mentioned, is hardly alone.
For decades, someone called 911.
The first eyes on the scene usually belonged to a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic.
Let me say that correctly.
The Newport Beach Police Department deployed drones 912 times during a recent three-month period, sending them to crimes, traffic accidents, and other incidences requiring police intervention.
The drones arrived before officers almost 65% of the time.
That statistic helps explain why Newport Beach is now investing heavily in expanding the program.
The amendment is expected to cost $750,000 during the first year and more than $4.5 million over the remaining six years.
The concept is often called drone as first responder.
It's actually working very well in many cities.
Instead of waiting for an officer to physically reach a location, a drone can be launched and flown toward the call.
Its camera can transmit live video to police, potentially allowing officers to see what is happening while patrol units are still traveling to the scene.
Let's look at an example.
A suspicious person report.
Ordinarily, officers responding to the call may know little beyond the information provided by the caller.
A drone arriving first could potentially determine whether the person is still present, whether the individual is moving, whether a vehicle is involved, or whether the situation appears different from the original report.
Newport Beach's early numbers provide an indication of how the technology is being used.
Police reported that drones located people in 22% of deployments, vehicles in nearly 12%, and objects in about 4%.
The department also uses them to provide officers with aerial intelligence and overwatch during incidents.
Geography is another factor.
Newport Beach includes hills, dense development, and tall buildings, all of which can create communication challenges.
Police officials said the drone technology was selected partly because of its ability to operate under those conditions and integrate with the systems the department already uses.
New Pure Beach, as I mentioned, is hardly alone.
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