LaSalle Police get $270K in crime proceeds for drones and river patrols
LaSalle Police will get $270,614.53 over three years from Ontario's Proceeds of Crime Grant Program. Project Birds Eye covers four drones to watch the Detroit River shoreline, plus more marine patrols. Not yet stated: when they fly, or footage rules.
Topics: Public safety
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The LaSalle Police Service is getting $270,614.53 over three years from Ontario's Proceeds of Crime Grant Program to watch and patrol the town's stretch of the Detroit River, the office of Essex MPP Anthony Leardi announced on Nov. 2, 2026.
What the money pays for
The grant funds Project Birds Eye. According to the announcement, it will give the LaSalle Police Service four remotely piloted aircraft systems, commonly called drones, to monitor the Detroit River shoreline within LaSalle.
It will also pay for additional marine patrols on the river. The announcement says the patrols are meant to help the service monitor waterfront activity, respond to incidents and keep a visible police presence on the water.
Where the money comes from
The Proceeds of Crime Grant Program reinvests money and property forfeited to the Crown as proceeds or instruments of unlawful activity into community safety and crime prevention projects, the announcement says. Police services apply with projects aimed at local public safety priorities.
What it means for you
If you live, walk or boat along LaSalle's riverfront, expect to see police drones overhead and more police boats on the water. The provincial grant runs for three years.
What the announcement does not say
The announcement does not say when the drones will start flying, how often they will be in the air, or what rules will cover where they fly and how long any footage is kept.
The LaSalle Police Services Board oversees the service, and the public part of its meetings is open to residents. Windsor News will report the drone rules when they are made public.
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