Boston Police win $10.9M drone-detection grant ahead of FIFA World Cup

BOSTON — April 13, 2026 — Boston City Council panel reviews $11.6 million in police grants, anchored by a first-ever $10.9 million counter-drone award. The Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, chaired by Councilor Henry Santana, heard testimony Monday on three pending grants for the Boston Police Department, with the largest — Docket 0759, totaling $10,925,140.07 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — funding a deployable, multi-sensor drone detection and mitigation system ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and America 250 events. Superintendent Lenita Cullinane said the breakdown includes $10,035,158.07 for equipment, $300,000 for overtime, $300,000 for training, and $289,982 for a full-time program manager. A separate $577,500 FY25 Port Security grant would replace a 25-year-old harbor patrol vessel and re-engine two aging boats. A $150,327.96 VAWA grant covers one of six domestic violence advocates — a unit Lieutenant Detective Nicole LaPointe called "overwhelmed," with five of Boston's districts currently lacking a dedicated advocate. Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune demanded copies of the grant application and implementation plan and pressed police on whether the new drone technology triggers additional review under the city's Surveillance Technology Ordinance; Director Ryan Walsh acknowledged the ordinance could apply if the data outputs differ substantially from already-approved systems.