Mayor Welch Praises Drone Program at St. Petersburg Police Department

ST. PETERSBURG — St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch got a firsthand look this week at how new drone technology is reshaping policing in the city.

Welch joined Police Chief Anthony Holloway and Sgt. DeLuca for a demonstration of the department’s state-of-the-art drones, which are being used to more quickly and efficiently track and apprehend suspects. In a video shared online, Welch himself took the controls, flying one of the drones under the guidance of officers.

The mayor praised the technology as a step forward in community safety, noting that the drones allow officers to respond faster while reducing risks. “There’s no one else in Pinellas County doing it like St. Petersburg Police Department,” Welch said in a social media post, calling the effort an example of embracing innovation.

Welch, who joked that his time at arcade games helped with the test flight, said the drones are a tool to improve the lives of residents. The department has been expanding its use of the devices as part of broader efforts to integrate technology into law enforcement strategies.