The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is requesting $12.65 million in federal funding to significantly expand its drone program, aiming to grow its fleet from 13 to 42 aircraft and establish seven “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) locations across the county. This expansion, if funded, would enhance capabilities for emergency response, searches, tactical incidents, and public safety operations, integrating with a modernized Real Time Crime Command/Intelligence Center. The program could support various law enforcement calls, including missing persons, suspect searches, and crime scene documentation, supplementing existing deputy resources. While the grant application is through a program focused on “Bridging Immigration-Related Deficits,” LCSO states the drones would serve broader local law enforcement needs and operate within Florida’s “Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act.” The ultimate implementation depends on federal approval, with further details on sites, vendors, and policies to follow.