Drone-as-first-responder programs, pursuit footage, evidence policy, and the departments putting UAS on patrol.
In October 2018, the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) launched the nation’s first Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, deploying drones to respond to 911 calls. Since then, the drones have flown nearly 20,000 missions, providing officers with critical intelligence before arriving on scene. While the department touts the program’s benefits, a WIRED investigation reveals…
La Prensa Fights for Public Access to Drone Videos In a groundbreaking legal battle, La Prensa, a Latino newspaper, has successfully challenged the City of Chula Vista’s attempt to withhold police drone footage from public scrutiny. The California Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case affirms an appellate court ruling that the city’s blanket refusal…
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is launching a groundbreaking pilot program that will deploy drones to shooting scenes and other life-threatening emergencies. The drones will enable police to assess dangerous situations in under a minute and even drop medical supplies from the sky. Expanding Drone Usage for Public Safety This initiative is part of…
A dozen people, aged 33 to 13, were arrested after large fights broke out during a drone light show at Gloucester Township Day. Police estimated a crowd of 500 and had to disperse the chaotic scene in New Jersey. Disorder Erupts at Community Event The annual Gloucester Township Day, meant to be a family-friendly event,…
A first-time visitor to the Isle of Man TT races got fined £500 ($615) for flying a drone too close to the race course during a qualifying session. Rory Neale, from Nuneaton in Warwickshire, was caught using his drone near a campsite in Glen Vine called Ballagarey on Friday, reports the BBC. Breaking the Rules…
San Antonio is reportedly becoming a major hub for drone technology, with significant impacts on businesses, education, and families. A recent example is the Drones 4 Water competition held in early May at the Boeing Center at Tech Port and Dwight Middle School, drawing over 350 students from San Antonio and across Texas. This event,…
Using drones for search and rescue in the rugged Scottish Highlands is becoming more efficient thanks to AI. A team from the University of Glasgow, led by Jan-Hendrik Ewers, is exploring how machine learning can enhance search strategies, reports MIT Technology Review. Revolutionizing Search and Rescue The Highlands present a unique challenge for rescue operations.…
A Whittier man, Luis Mendez Jr., 51, was sentenced to 36 years and four months in prison for firing at a law enforcement officer and a police drone during an eight-hour standoff in Costa Mesa. This verdict came after his conviction for assault with a deadly weapon against a special agent, among other charges, reports…
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