La Mesa police are seeking federal funding for a drone first responder program that city leaders say could improve situational awareness during crimes, emergencies and large public events, according to NBC 7 San Diego.

City councilmembers recently approved the Police Department’s application for a $2 million federal grant through Rep. Sara Jacobs’ office. The proposal would include a real-time crime center to monitor feeds and coordinate police responses in the field.

According to Police Chief Ray Sweeney’s grant application, the program would help detect emerging issues at large events, confirm descriptions and direction of travel, shorten response times and improve decision-making during crimes in progress. NBC 7 reported that events such as Oktoberfest, the weekly farmers market and other gatherings could be possible use cases.

The proposal also drew privacy concerns from some residents. Councilmember Genevieve Suzuki told NBC 7 that privacy protections had been considered and said drone cameras would face the horizon while flying.

La Mesa is one of Santee’s closest East County neighbors, and public safety technology adopted there often shapes regional conversations about policing, privacy and emergency response. NBC 7 reported the city expects to learn around July whether it wins the grant, with a pilot program running roughly from October through September 2027.

Source: NBC 7 San Diego.