safety
St. Paul Police new drones hit scenes in under 90 seconds, surpass last year’s drone flights
By Ashley Halbach at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· June 24, 2026
· 4 min read
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St. Paul police drone use
The Saint Paul Police Department said its new Docked Drone Program (DDP) is...
Key takeaway But on May 30, police launched a major expansion — adding three rooftop-docked drones, one in each patrol district.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The Saint Paul Police Department's new Docked Drone Program is a significant development for public safety in the Twin Cities area, and its implications extend beyond St. Paul's borders. As Minneapolis 's neighboring city, St. Paul's experiences with drone technology can inform and influence Minneapolis's own approaches to emergency response. The success of St. Paul's docked drones in reducing response times and increasing officer awareness could prompt Minneapolis to explore similar initiatives, potentially leading to a regional shift in how law enforcement agencies utilize drone technology. Furthermore, the program's ability to locate missing individuals and contribute to arrests may also have implications for Minneapolis's own missing persons cases and public safety efforts. As the program continues to expand and refine its operations, Minneapolis residents and officials will likely be watching closely to see how this technology can be adapted and applied to their own community's needs.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? @keyframes spin {
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St. Paul police drone use
The Saint Paul Police Department said its new Docked Drone Program (DDP) is...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ashley Halbach at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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