Cape Girardeau Police Department plans to expand drone program in 2027
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The Cape Girardeau Police Department plans to expand its drone program in 2027 as officials address community questions about how the technology is used and what it means for residents’ privacy.
The department currently operates one drone as a first responder, allowing officers to assess emergency situations from the air before arriving at a scene.
Police say drones provide an aerial view of people, vehicles, buildings and surrounding areas, helping officers identify potential hazards and make decisions during emergency responses.
According to the department, drones typically fly about 200 feet above the ground and may capture video of nearby properties while responding to calls.
Police emphasized that footage of surrounding homes or yards does not necessarily mean those properties are under investigation.
The department said drone operators are not authorized to look inside homes or other structures without appropriate legal justification. Officials said all flights must comply with applicable laws, constitutional protections and department policies.
The department also addressed concerns about how recorded footage is stored and accessed.
According to police, video collected during drone operations is transferred to an encrypted server. Footage connected to an investigation may be preserved as evidence, while access is limited to authorized personnel with a legitimate law enforcement or administrative purpose.
The department said recordings are not automatically kept indefinitely. Retention and deletion depend on department policies, state records requirements and any ongoing legal or investigative needs.
Public access to drone footage is governed by Missouri law, including the state’s Sunshine Law.
Police said the program is intended to improve officer safety and emergency response rather than conduct random surveillance of neighborhoods.
The department expects to add more drones in 2027 but has not announced how many will be deployed or when the expansion will begin.
