BETHESDA, Md. (DC News Now) -- Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) is expanding its drone program to Bethesda, continuing its first responder initiative that launched last year.  Originally rolled out in areas such as Silver Spring and Wheaton, the drones have been a pivotal addition to the department's resources, officials told DC News Now.  "This is very similar to having a police helicopter, except that it’s a lot smaller, and there’s nobody physically piloting it up in the sky," said Capt. Jason Cokinos of MCPD’s 3rd District Office. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Montgomery County Police launches Drone as First Responder Program Cokinos described the program as a game changer for MCPD, helping the department reach incidents within seconds. "We don’t have to wait for a call to be dispatched. We’re hearing it as soon as the person calls. So, for us, we’re able to send the drone as the call taker is receiving that information to publish to officers for a response," Cokinos said. Over the past year, Cokinos said the drones have helped redirect more than 500 officers into different services and locate at least 400 individuals involved in alleged criminal activities.  For businesses that have been frequent targets of crime, the initiative’s expansion couldn’t come soon enough. "Ever since I started working here for the past year, I think this store was robbed like maybe 20 times on my watch," said Khalid, who works at a smoke and tobacco shop in downtown Bethesda. With drones soon to be deployed, businesses like Khalid's hope for a safer future as they continue to grapple with keeping their storefronts secure.  "I resisted a few times, and the last time I resisted, I was hit [on the head] with something with a metal part on his hand, and they left. I was hospitalized because I was really, really hurt," Khalid added. Capt. Cokinos noted that it’s just a matter of weeks until drones are rolled out throughout Bethesda.