SFPD Drone Expansion: $9.4M Gift to Cover City

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) is set to significantly expand its drone surveillance program thanks to a generous $9.4 million donation from Ripple Labs CEO Chris Larsen.

The San Francisco Police Commission unanimously approved the gift, which will bolster the Real Time Investigation Center (RTIC). This center was established following the passage of Proposition E in March 2024, which broadened the SFPD’s ability to use technology for crime detection.

Commissioner Kevin Benedicto stated that the donation is the largest one-time gift the commission has ever considered. The Board of Supervisors will vote on the gift later this month.

A substantial portion of the funds, $2 million, will finance a 16-month lease for a 14,000-square-foot office space on Montgomery Street. This new space, formerly occupied by Ripple Labs, will serve as a temporary relocation site for the RTIC, which is currently housed in the Hall of Justice.

The remaining $7.4 million will be dedicated to expanding the city’s “Drones as First Responder” program. This initiative allows trained officers to remotely pilot drones from RTIC headquarters. The donation will enable the SFPD to establish 10 new drone take-off locations, primarily at fire stations, and introduce new types of first-responder drones.

Captain Thomas MacGuire, representing the RTIC, stated, “We’re going to be covering the entire city with drones.”

Chief Bill Scott highlighted the potential benefits of this collaboration, stating that the drones could provide firefighters with thermal imaging and assist in locating individuals in distress.

Larsen’s contribution comes through the San Francisco Police Community Foundation, which also donated $866,000 for officer wellness and community engagement. Larsen, a long-time advocate for technology in law enforcement, previously supported Proposition E with a $250,000 donation.

It’s worth noting that Larsen’s previous donations to install surveillance devices in San Francisco were compromised when SF SAFE purportedly misallocated his money. Former executive director Kyra Worthy is presently facing 34 felony charges.