Coral Springs Commission Approves Purchase of New Drone Technology

by David Volz May 22, 2026

by David Volz May 22, 2026 2 minutes read

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Eyes in the Sky: Coral Springs Drone Pilots Helping Police, Firefighters Save Lives

In 2021, Coral Springs Police examined drone footage while searching for a missing person. {Courtesy City of Coral Springs}

The Coral Springs Police Department will receive new drone technology.

During the May 20 meeting, the commission approved a resolution to use $295,528 in law enforcement forfeiture funds to cover the cost of three drone docking stations for the Drone First Responder program, according to the commission agenda.

The commission also approved a resolution to award the purchase of the drones and docking systems to Axon Enterprises of Scottsdale, Arizona, for $465,436, according to the commission agenda.

Police Chief Brad Mock told the commission that the drones are important because they help officers respond more effectively to law enforcement situations. He also said that drones are important for non-criminal purposes, such as locating a missing child.

“If we get a call that a two-year-old child is missing, we can use drones to start searching pools and the area immediately. This is a faster way to locate people,” said Mock.

The drones represent a major technological improvement for the police department, according to Commissioner Joe McHugh, who spent 28 years with the city’s police department. He said the drones will enable police to respond to crime scenes faster.

“This is newer technology and will be the first time we have had drones that can respond to crimes such as burglaries that are in progress. This new technology will allow us to deploy a drone over a crime in progress and see exactly what is happening. The drone will get there before an officer,” said McHugh.

In 2024, the commission unanimously approved a $5.5 million contract for the police department to purchase new drones, body cameras, Tasers, and other high-tech equipment.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.