Florida outlaws drones from China, affecting law enforcement agencies

Drones from a “foreign country of concern” are no longer allowed to be used by state and local government agencies, causing issues for law enforcement.

That means the popular drone brand DJI, which is from China, can no longer be used.

Law enforcement offices across the state are not happy.

Millions of dollars in drones are now shelved.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office told WINK News they understand the purpose of the legislation and are all for ensuring domestic security. Still, they say the alternatives they’ve purchased are more costly and less effective.

They help put out fires, find missing people and stop the bad guy.

“When we took him into custody, we said, why did you keep running and why did you finally surrender? He said he couldn’t outrun the drone,” said Collier County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Meagan Kitchenhoff.

Approximately 90 to 95% of agencies used the drone equipment outlawed by the legislature, said Chris Allen, with Florida Drone Supply.

DJI is based on China, which Gov. Ron DeSantis called a “foreign country of concern,” meaning state agencies can’t use the technology.

The Collier Collier Sheriff’s Office, which had a drone fleet of 31, is now down to a handful.

Kitchenhoff testified in Tallahassee about it last month.

“We have purchased three drones from the approval list and they have found that they have the limited capabilities and are significantly more expensive,” she said.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook in July of 2021 about adding an autel drone to its fleet, calling it a game-changer.

It’s also not on the state list of approved makers.

Allen, a drone expert, said there are alternatives and great ones at that, but they’re expensive.

“We cannot fly at night sensory, the infrared; the camera is just not safe for us to use,” Kitchenhoff said.

Now police departments are asking for an extension with a new set of bills that would give police until 2026 to transition away from foreign drones, but neither bill has gained traction.

An important thin to note, the use of DJI drones is not banned among the general public, just government agencies, like state colleges, police and fire departments.