CASSELBERRY, Fla. – The City of Casselberry is seeking federal help to establish a drone program for its police department.
On Monday, commissioners will vote on a grant application for up to $200,000 for the purchase of unmanned aerial systems and drones.
If funding from the U.S. Department of Justice is approved, the police department could purchase four to five drones and additional equipment.
“The drones do have thermal imaging. We can possibly and potentially find missing people before tragedy happens to them, ” Deputy Chief Derrick Becton said.
Currently, aerial public safety support is coordinated through a regional partnership through the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
“Getting that drone up, we can get out and start searching much larger areas much faster, much quicker than trying to get additional personnel,” Becton said.
Alex Schenker lives in Casselberry and said if the police department was able to acquire its own drone fleet, it could be a benefit for the city.
“If they’re doing it simply for investigations and to rescue people, and doing it for the actual intended purpose, I think it will be an amazing, amazing grant,” Schenker said.
Commissioners will vote to approve the grant funding application during their regular meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m.