By AMBER PATINO
The Bonifay City Council met Monday, October 6, for its regular session, and made a motion to approve the acceptance of two drone grants awarded to local law enforcement and emergency response agencies.
City Executive Assistance Sierra Smith presented the grants, each totaling $25,000, from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Bureau of Criminal Justice Grants. The funding will support the purchase of one drone each for the Bonifay Police Department (BPD) and Bonifay Fire-Rescue, along with the licensing fees to certify operators in both departments. Smith noted that the grants include a cash advance option, allowing the city to avoid using municipal funds for the equipment.
In its Drone Funding Request Form, BPD outlined plans to use drone technology to improve public safety, reduce response times, and enhance officer protection. The department cited the drone’s ability to conduct aerial surveillance during critical incidents such as search and rescue operations, missing person cases, and natural disasters. The program also offers a cost-effective tool for crime scene documentation and real-time intelligence in high-risk situations, minimizing the need to place officers directly in harm’s way.
Bonifay Fire-Rescue similarly emphasized the benefits of drone integration in emergency response efforts. The department stated in its Drone Funding Request Form that drones will help identify hazards quickly without delaying critical actions and will strengthen search and rescue capabilities in heavily wooded areas, especially following hurricanes, tornadoes, or flooding events.
BPD Police Chief Johnny Whitaker added that the drone program will be particularly useful in hard-to-access areas, such as those near railroad tracks, and for crowd monitoring during large community gatherings, including the annual Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo and local parades.
Staff Report 