From Lost to Found: How Alhambra PD’s Drone Program is Redefining Public Safety

On February 8, 2025, during a bustling Lunar New Year festival in Alhambra, California, a family’s worst nightmare unfolded: their elderly loved one, who lives with dementia, vanished into a crowd. The chaos of the moment could have easily turned into a prolonged and frantic search. But thanks to the swift response from the Alhambra Police Department and their Flock Aerodome Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, she was located quickly and returned home safely.

This incident underscores a powerful truth: this isn’t just about cutting-edge technology—it’s about saving lives.

A City Ready for Innovation

Nestled east of Los Angeles and south of Pasadena, the city of Alhambra spans just 7.6 square miles but swells with a weekday population nearing 200,000. It’s a dynamic urban environment that presents both opportunity and challenge for law enforcement.

Sergeant Brian Chung of the Alhambra Police Department knows this all too well. A 10-year veteran of the force, Chung oversees both the traffic section and the city’s drone programs. His team is responsible for both tactical deployments and the broader DFR program, designed to offer real-time aerial insights to officers on the ground.

From Hobby to Citywide Safety

The seeds of Alhambra PD’s drone program were planted in 2018 when Chung and a fellow officer—both drone hobbyists—began wondering how this tool could enhance public safety. They started by presenting the concept to department leadership, who quickly saw the potential.

Initially, the department deployed drones tactically—officers brought them to the scene and launched them as needed. Over time, as the benefits became undeniable, the program expanded to include more FAA Part 107-certified pilots and a growing fleet of drones. Eventually, Alhambra PD embraced the full DFR model, allowing for remote drone deployment guided by real-time intelligence.

Choosing the Right Platform: Why Flock Aerodome?

When it came time to select a dedicated DFR platform, Alhambra PD evaluated several options before landing on Flock Safety’s Aerodome system. According to Chung, the decision came down to ease of use, robust integration with internal systems, superior image quality, and long flight times.

“The awareness we gain from each deployment is just paramount,” he said. “It’s helped us make better, faster decisions in the field.”

Real-Time Response in Action

The Lunar New Year incident illustrates the program’s power. With only vague descriptors—an elderly Asian woman in dark clothing carrying a red bag in a crowd where many had red bags—officers were nearly flying blind.

But the drone operator systematically searched the area from west to east, eventually identifying a woman who matched the description. Although officers on foot unknowingly passed her in the crowd, the drone maintained visual contact, guided patrol units, and enabled a swift, safe reunion.

Without the drone, Chung admits, “It could have taken hours.”

More Than Missing Persons: DFR in Diverse Missions

While locating missing persons is a key use case, the DFR program plays a far broader role in Alhambra. The drone can respond to priority one and two calls, especially when patrol units are unavailable. A sworn officer operates the drone remotely, assesses the situation, and can often clear calls without dispatching ground units—saving time and resources.

In one instance, the drone helped track a theft suspect who fled on foot and hid in a shed. Using a laser range finder, the drone pinpointed the suspect’s exact location, allowing officers to make a safe arrest without escalating the situation.

Unexpected Benefits and Citywide Collaboration

The utility of the DFR program extends beyond law enforcement. After a severe windstorm, city department heads gathered at the police station and used the drone to assess infrastructure damage across Alhambra. The aerial perspective enabled swift decision-making and effective resource deployment.

The program also helps prevent unnecessary high-risk pursuits. Because the drone’s feed is live-streamed to dispatchers, detectives, and watch commanders, several dangerous vehicle pursuits have been safely canceled—decisions that could save lives.

A Future Worth Watching

The success of Alhambra’s drone program is a testament to what happens when innovation meets commitment. It’s not just about locating suspects or monitoring large events—it’s about building a smarter, safer community.

As Sergeant Chung reflects on the department’s journey, he remains clear-eyed about the mission: “All the information we gather helps us make better decisions and keep everyone—officers and civilians—safer.”

And when every second counts, that’s a game-changer.