Eugene Police Drones Gain Expanded Reach with FAA Waiver



EUGENE, Ore. — The Eugene Police Department’s Drones as First Responder (DFR) program has received a significant upgrade with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certificate of Waiver for 200-foot Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This approval, announced on April 9, 2025, extends drone coverage to 40% more of the city, enabling faster responses to emergencies with fewer operators.

The BVLOS waiver allows drone pilots to operate remotely without needing to keep the drone in their direct sight, reducing travel time to incident sites. According to police, this capability will help them cover more ground quickly, access hazardous or hard-to-reach areas, and perform tasks previously limited by line-of-sight restrictions. The technology is already proving its worth: in 2024, drones were first on scene 76% of the time, clearing 27% of calls without patrol assistance and aiding in 17 captures. This year, those figures have risen to 83% first-on-scene and 40% cleared without patrol, with 11 captures so far.

To secure the waiver, Eugene Police submitted a detailed application to the FAA, showcasing safety measures, risk assessments, and advanced technology like detect-and-avoid systems and reliable navigation tools. The department also ensured its pilots are trained and certified for BVLOS operations.

Eugene Police first introduced drones in April 2018 as part of a pilot project. The program has since grown, with the Eugene Springfield Metro Drone Team—formed in 2022—now boasting 16 officers and three sergeants. The DFR team itself includes 13 operators, led by a supervising sergeant, with both sworn and non-sworn staff. Last June, the addition of Live911 technology allowed operators to hear 911 calls in real time, speeding up response times even further.

Funded by the Community Safety Payroll Tax, the DFR program supports broader safety initiatives in Eugene, from crime deterrence to connecting residents with services. With this latest FAA approval, Eugene’s drone fleet is set to play an even bigger role in keeping the city safe. https://www.eugene-or.gov/3946/Community-Safety-Initiative

Information from EPD - photo from EPD

Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable updates to the local community. He runs the largest crime watch group in Lane County, Lane County Mugshots Uncensored, which currently has over 86,400 members. Support for local journalism is essential, and donations can be made via Venmo to @Michael-Weber-379 (last four digits of phone number: 0825).

You can also follow me on X: https://x.com/MugshotMike541 

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