The St. Petersburg Police Department is now using aerial systems to address calls in real time. A “Drone Hive,” consisting of three devices and their docking stations, has been installed on the rooftop of SPPD’s headquarters.
Police Chief Anthony Holloway announced the expansion Wednesday.
“We saw the capabilities that drones had when we used them as a first responder,” he explained to the Catalyst. “So we looked at if we could use the program to handle more calls in the city.”
In 2019, SPPD began to implement drones for SWAT and traffic team operations. After hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, Holloway and his staff used the technology to report street flooding conditions. In March 2025, the department started to utilize drones to respond to emergencies.
The drone hive began operations earlier this year, Holloway said. Before starting to complete missions, a series of tests were conducted. The aerial systems are controlled by pilots at SPPD’s Real Time Intelligence Center.
With the technology, he added, officers can receive vital details quicker. Once a potential crime is reported, SPPD staff members can send drones to the location of interest within five minutes or less.
“After a person has called in with a description, now we have eyes on the scene,” he said. “So, we can give officers information on how they can drive into the scene safely or how they can set up the perimeter.”
Holloway explained that the technology can help determine if a suspect has a gun and what type of gun it is.
Additionally, the drones have infrared capabilities for night vision. If the SPPD receives a call about a noise in someone’s backyard, it can send an aerial system to examine the area and determine if an individual is hiding on the property.
He said that the program can also help catch suspects in the act. If the SPPD gets a tip that an individual is performing a certain illegal activity in a neighborhood, it can use drones to monitor the surroundings. The systems can provide video evidence of the behavior. “It just gives the officer the upper edge when something happens.”
Aerial systems can help identify a fugitive, Holloway added. The technology can follow the individual in question whether they are walking, riding a bike or driving a car.
“Sometimes people will say that they went northbound and we lost them,” he said. “As the drones fly into the area, they can start searching for the suspect.”
Currently, the SPPD has 11 drones and 37 pilots. The organization is planning on installing more “Drone Hives” around the city over the next two years.
“I believe the new drone program is helping us make our city just a little bit safer,” Holloway explained. “Technology will be able to enhance what police officers are doing. However, it’s not a replacement. It gives them more tools in their toolbox to work with. You still need a person to make the arrest and a person to interview witnesses and victims.”
People sometimes feel frustrated after calling the police due to wait times, he added. However, drones can be a presence on the scene prior to officer arrival. This can provide peace of mind to victims. “Two minutes can seem like a lifetime.”
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
