Cape and the Tijuana Public Safety Department have partnered to launched Mexico’s first Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program.

Through the program, two UAS equipped with the Cape Aerial Telepresence platform will be utilized as part of the department’s daily operations to provide access to real-time aerial visibility and intelligence for officer support in both the command center and the field.

During the program, Cape-enabled UAS will support emergency response efforts within a three-kilometer radius of the Tijuana Public Safety Department headquarters. The focus will be on “improving both operational efficiency and the safety of both first responders and the greater Tijuana community,” the entities say.

The UAS will be launched from the roof of the headquarters, and dispatched to 911 calls across the downtown and Zona Rio areas. Officers will have access to the drone’s real-time feed, which will give them a live view of the situation before they arrive on the scene. This will not only enable full situational visibility for improved outcomes, but it will also allow for faster, more accurate resource deployment.

“We have seen the benefits of drone use for public safety first-hand, and are extremely proud to be at the forefront of adopting the technology, as the first city in Mexico to deploy a Drone as a First Responder program,” says Marco Antonio Sotomayor Amezcua Secretariat of Public Safety, City of Tijuana.

“We look forward to seeing the impact the program has on our city and to serving as an example for other agencies across the country.”

Modeled after the Chula Vista Police Department's (CVPD) DFR program in Chula Vista, California—under the San Diego UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP)—the program in Tijuana is part of a cross-border collaboration between the cities of Tijuana and San Diego. Since CVPD’s launch in October 2018, UAS have responded to more than 572 calls for service, accounting for more than 140 hours of total flight time, and have been credited with supporting more than 70 arrests.

“Drone as First Responder programs are redefining what’s possible and shaping the future of public safety for law enforcement agencies across the globe,” says Chris Rittler, CEO of Cape.

“As evidenced by the results we’ve seen in Chula Vista, the impact of unlocking total aerial visibility -- something that was previously reserved only for larger agencies with big budgets -- is undeniable. Tijuana is demonstrating technology leadership and a strong commitment to increased public safety through their investment in the DFR program. Cape is honored to be their technology partner.”