The Mooresville Police Department (MPD) has launched a Drone First Responder (DFR) program aimed at improving response times and enhancing situational awareness during emergency calls.

The program includes six drones — three stationed at MPD headquarters and three at One Mooresville Center — capable of responding within a 3.5-mile radius at speeds up to 55 mph. The drones provide aerial coverage and information before officers and first responders arrive on scene.

A trained operator based at MPD headquarters deploys and pilots the drones when appropriate based on 911 call information. The operator communicates with responding officers to provide real-time updates.

“This technology allows us to be more informed situationally, so our responses can be precise and efficient,” said Chief Ron Campurciani.

Technology Integration and Transparency

The DFR program is the first of its kind in Iredell County and integrates with the department’s Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, which manages 911 calls and coordinates response efforts. The drones use GPS coordinates from CAD data to navigate to incident locations.

The system also uses radar to detect and avoid other aircraft during flight.

MPD said the program supports a range of public safety applications, including responding to high-risk incidents, locating missing persons and suspects, and assisting with traffic and crime scene documentation.

To support transparency, the department has launched the Mooresville Flight Dashboard, a public portal that tracks drone activity. The dashboard provides data on calls, response times, and types of incidents, along with visual flight paths for each deployment.