Florida launches drone-based pilot program for school campus security

Three Florida school districts—Broward, Leon, and Volusia—will take part in a new pilot program that aims to improve campus safety through the use of drones. The Campus Guardian Angel Pilot Program will deploy drones to distract active shooters and provide real-time audio and video feeds to school guardians and law enforcement during potential threats. This technology will be fully integrated with the Alyssa Alert platform in each participating district.

Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas announced the launch, stating, "Ensuring students and teachers have a safe and secure learning environment is one of my top priorities as Commissioner. Florida remains the national leader in school safety because we continue to invest in solutions that protect students and support a rapid, coordinated response. The Guardian Angel Program is an important step in expanding the safety tools available to our districts. I thank Governor DeSantis for driving these efforts forward and ensuring our schools have the resources they need."

Dr. Howard Hepburn, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, said, "Broward County Public Schools keeps safety at the forefront of everything we do. The integration of the Guardian Angel Program will strengthen our ability to respond swiftly and decisively in the event of a threat. We are grateful to Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Kamoutsas for their leadership in this initiative."

Laurie Cox, Chair of the Leon County School Board, added, "As we join the Campus Guardian Angel Pilot Program, Leon County Schools is embracing another layer of protection that enhances rapid response, real-time awareness and coordinated action. We appreciate the state’s commitment to equipping our district with advanced tools and look forward to this partnership helping ensure every campus remains a place of learning and safety."

Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent of Volusia County Schools commented, "Volusia County Schools is proud to be a part of the pilot for the Campus Guardian Angel Program. By participating in this program, we are reinforcing our commitment to proactive safety measures and smart, coordinated response. This is another important step in ensuring our campuses not only teach students well, but also protect them well."

The state has invested over $1.3 billion into strengthening campus security under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership. Of this amount, $557,000 has been allocated specifically for implementing the Campus Guardian Angel Program.

For more information about ongoing efforts by Florida's Department of Education regarding safe learning environments for students and teachers across districts, visit its Safe Schools page.