(NewsNation) — Law enforcement agencies are searching for ways to keep people safe in a divisive culture amid a trend of targeted political violence. Could drones be the next protection tool? 

As technology advances, drones are playing a bigger role in both national and domestic security, and threats are changing.

This summer, the president signed an executive order to speed up drone production in the United States. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also announced the department will work with the drone industry to help maintain battlefield superiority. 

Matt Higgins, co-founder of Performance Drone Works, a drone manufacturing company, told NewsNation that drones should be “ubiquitous.” 

“We are being deployed by the Secret Service, by elite military institutions throughout the United States. I’ve been working on this problem (since) post-9/11 because it gave me the same feeling,” Higgins said. “Once we started creating this technology, this capability, a drone that could fly 100 mph and reduce latency to nanoseconds, all these issues, I realized it’s either going to fall in the hands of terrorists, or it’s going to be a competitive advantage for the United States.”

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing last week highlighted the nation’s political tensions and many people’s desire to reduce political violence.

Drones have been used in immigration enforcement and recreational activities. Authorities are seeking ways to implement the technology to combat crime.