The Montgomery County Police Department has resumed its Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program in downtown Silver Spring, restoring aerial response operations that had been temporarily relocated due to construction.
The program was moved to the White Oak area in October 2025 after a crane used for Purple Line construction obstructed drone flight paths in downtown Silver Spring. With construction conditions improved, DFR operations officially returned to the area on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
Police officials said the department remains fully committed to the program and its mission of enhancing public safety by providing faster situational awareness and response during emergencies.
The department encourages residents to review information about the DFR program’s policies, transparency measures, and privacy protections at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/howdoI/drone-as-first-responder.html
