DENVER (TND) — The Denver Police Department (DPD) will soon use drones as first responders after the city cut millions from the force's budget to aid migrants.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced in April a plan to cut a combined $45.9 million worth of expenses from city agencies. The police department alone received a cut of $8.4 million, while the fire department's budget was slashed by $2.5 million.

A DPD spokesperson confirmed to The National Desk (TND) Tuesday drones are becoming a more substantial part of their operations and could soon replace humans for some 911 calls. The department is expected to launch its drone program within the next six months thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Denver Police Foundation. Drones could also be deployed to provide additional information about crime scenes to help police officers determine the correct response.

Drones as a First Responder is not an intervention tool, but rather a tool for situational awareness in which a centralized drone operator launches a drone from one of several base stations around the city to quickly get eyes on an in-progress situation to evaluate public and officer safety, as well as how best to maximize resources,” the spokesperson told TND.

The concept is also being used in some situations by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry testified before Congress this month to share his department’s efforts to utilize drones in policing work.

READ MORE | Denver may cut city workers' hours to zero to address migrant influx, report says

NYPD has 85 drones and has increased its usage of them by over 419% compared to 2022, Daughtry said under oath. The drones are currently used in “limited circumstances,” such as examining the structural integrity of buildings and policing large crowds.

The Hawthorn Police Department in Los Angeles this month debuted its Responder drone, according to the Los Angeles Times. Responder can reportedly deliver medical supplies and use livestream video while responding to 911 calls. The drones will reportedly be placed at charging “nests” throughout Los Angeles in the event they are needed in an emergency.

Follow Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news. Have a news tip? Send it to jacwalker@sbgtv.com.

ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7zZqroqeeYsSwvsudZp2dnquys3nTqGSrnaChrqSxjKmmpaGTmnqwssWimp6qo2LEqsDHZpurp56awG6yzqtkrKedmnp6fZBmmpqknKh6ornInWSbrZScsrV5wq6rrGWTpLmwvsCdpmalmZy%2ForrTrGSbp6KZsrN5yKakop%2BilsGqu81mpJqxn6d6rrXKnmSjp5ijwLW7zWaaq6Gdmnq0rcWeq7Jllp6%2FtMCMq5ysqJ%2Bjsaa%2B0g%3D%3D