Eight months ago, mysterious drones in the sky sparked hysteria around New Jersey. Now, an Essex County city is launching drones aimed at improving public safety response.

"This is our newly formed unit, the Rapid Deployment Unit,” said Sgt. Eric Browley, Jr. “We leverage the use of drones to patrol our city."

About a dozen East Orange public safety officers are now FAA-certified drone operators. Officials say theirs is the first department in New Jersey to use the made-in-America Skydio "X10d" docking model.

It can fly up to 45 mph and has impressive night vision and thermal sensitivity that can aid police and firefighters.

"They're actually first responders as well,” said East Orange public safety director Maurice Boyd. “They'll be deployed as such."

When the emergency call comes in, every second counts. The new drones can get to a scene within seconds, faster than a police officer or a fire truck. It's a game changer for public safety in the city.

“Average time, about 35 to 45 seconds,” said Browley Jr. “It depends on the weather. It would probably take a car a minute or two.”

This program was a year in the making. It didn't cost East Orange taxpayers. Officials said the funding came from grant and asset forfeiture - essentially money from contraband that police pick up on the job.

A demonstration proved how quickly these drones can deploy.

"It allows our officers to also be sure that they're safe as well,” Boyd said. “It gives us the opportunity to make sure that our community is safe."

"And we are also sending a strong message to those individuals who think they can come into the city of East Orange and do a crime,” said Mayor Ted Green. “We're watching you."