Watsonville PD’s New Drone Unit Makes First Arrest, Enhancing Crime Prevention

KSBW reports that the Watsonville Police Department in California has successfully launched a drone program, marking a significant advancement in local law enforcement. The drone program, which consists of a DJI Mavic 3, a DJI Avata and a DJI Matrice 30, began just a month ago, has already proven its worth by facilitating its first arrest.

Swift Deployment Leads to Arrest

Officer Larios, a drone pilot with the Watsonville Police Department, highlighted the rapid response capability of the new unit: “A drone operator that was out on the field, was able to put the drone up in the air within 30 seconds.”

This quick deployment resulted in the apprehension of a suspect caught stealing thousands of dollars worth of marijuana from a local grower.

Expanding Capabilities with DJI Drones

The department now boasts four drones, including at least three DJI drones and ten police officers trained and certified as FAA Part 107 drone pilots.

Officer Larios explained the rationale behind the program: “The reason why we ended up getting our drone program up in the air is it’s an extra tool that we can utilize on the street to help officers both in crime prevention, search and rescue, and as well as apprehension of suspects.”

READ MORE: DRONE GROUPS WARN COUNTERDRONE ACT COULD HAVE “PROFOUND REPERCUSSIONS” FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

Community Reactions

While some residents, like Dante Curiel, support the initiative, saying, “I mean they have to keep up with the times and drones so it’s a complete changer so if it helps it helps,” others have expressed privacy concerns.

Jennifer Rhodes, another Watsonville resident, offered a balanced view: “I think it’s OK if they’re not invading people’s privacy. I think that businesses that can’t be there every minute would love to have a little help. Police can’t be everywhere.”

Addressing Privacy Concerns

To allay public concerns, the police department has assured that the drones will only be used with reasonable cause.

Officer Larios clarified: “So the drones will be out on the field and only be utilized when the assistance is required and have a bird’s eye view be able to guide officers at certain locations. They’re not being flown remotely from here, from the office. They’re being flown by the pilot at the scene.”

Future Applications

The city believes this new technology will allow officers to respond to crimes faster and provide a new perspective on law enforcement. In an upcoming application, the drones will be used to crack down on illegal fireworks use during the Fourth of July celebrations, marking another milestone in the department’s innovative approach to public safety.

DroneXL’s Take

The implementation of drone technology by the Watsonville Police Department represents a growing trend in law enforcement agencies leveraging unmanned aerial systems for enhanced public safety. This development aligns with the broader adoption of drones across various sectors, from agriculture to infrastructure inspection.

While privacy concerns are valid and must be addressed, the potential benefits of drone technology in law enforcement are significant. As we’ve seen in other instances, such as search and rescue operations or traffic management, drones can provide critical aerial support that was previously unavailable or prohibitively expensive. The key lies in establishing clear guidelines and protocols for drone usage, ensuring transparency, and maintaining a balance between public safety and individual privacy rights.

Photos courtesy of KSBW.