Despite US blacklisting craze, Grand Rapids police get $100K for new fleet of DJI drones

The Police Department of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has received an all-clear to enter the small craft aerial age with final approval – and a nearly $100,000 budget – to create and operate a new fleet of drones, all of which will initially be DJI craft that politicians in Washington, DC, and a number of states have been seeking to ban.

Grand Rapids’ City Commission gave its final approval to grant the municipal police department a $99,246 budget to create its drone fleet, which the force had sought despite amid concerns voiced by local residents and politicians over potential privacy implications. Bucking protectionist political movements in Washington and certain state capitals across the US, the resolution passed by Grand Rapids leaders stipulated the procurement will include “six (6) DJI Mavic Enterprise drone units, two (2) DJI Matrice 30T drone units,” and related accessories. 

According to local reports, Grand Rapids Police…