Looks like Wichita Falls is potentially investing in some new technology for the city that can help speed up response times in certain situations.

Check Out New 'Super' Drone that Wichita Falls Invested In

The company Flock Safety has created what they call 'Aerodrome Drone First Responder'. This state of the art drone is being used by police departments throughout the country. You can check out this exact drone in action at the Scottsdale, Arizona police department above. This drone is also being used just south of us in Fort Worth as well.

How is This 'Super' Drone Being Paid for?

The $61,000 drone will be funded through the Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority’s $305,000 Catalytic Converter grant, ensuring no additional burden on local taxpayers. However, the grant’s approval is pending, with a decision expected by late 2026. The city of Wichita Falls is currently scouting locations that would be an optimal takeoff point for the drone.

What Types of Situations Could We See This Drone Used For?

According to Flock Safety, the three most used scenarios for the drones are shootings, missing people, and traffic accidents. The drone can be deployed when a shots fired call is received and get on the scene faster than a police car could. Potentially getting eyes on a fleeing or hunkered down suspect. If a call about a missing person comes in, the drone has thermal technology in an attempt to see what others can't late at night. Departments also use it for traffic accidents to assess the situation before officers arrive to find out how much manpower the department needs to reopen roads faster.

Although this has not been approved yet, it looks like the Wichita Falls police department is all on board for bringing this to town. We will wait and see if the grant is approved.