The Scottsdale Police Department has welcomed a new addition to its team, it’s a high-tech drone equipped with a camera and cutting-edge technology.
The department unveiled a program that allows officers to deploy a drone as a first responder. This innovative drone, developed by Aerodome and enhanced with Flock Safety technology, can be remotely launched to respond to emergencies, often arriving before human officers. The department already employs a fleet of seven drones for various tasks, such as apprehending suspects and conducting searches. However, these drones need to be brought to the scene before they can be deployed.
The new drone offers greater immediacy. It will be stationed on the roof of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Old Town, ready to be remotely operated by FAA-certified pilots, known within the department as “real-time crime center technicians.” Capable of reaching an emergency site in as little as 85 seconds, the drone will provide live updates to officers’ cell phones as they head to the scene. With a speed of 56 to 58 miles per hour, the drone can cover its designated area in about a minute, offering real-time insights into the situation on the ground.
Scottsdale is only the second police department in the U.S. to utilize these Aerodome drones. The new drone will initially cover a 28-square-mile area. The decision to base the drone in Old Town stems from the fact that 50% of Scottsdale’s crime occurs south of McDonald Drive, according to police data.
If the drone proves effective, the department may expand its fleet, with a goal of deploying five or six drones to cover Scottsdale’s 184-square-mile area. Each drone, along with its docking station, costs $308,000, meaning that equipping the city with a full fleet could total nearly $2 million.
This initiative marks a continuation of Scottsdale Police’s collaboration with Flock Safety and Aerodome, adding another technological layer to their crime-fighting tools.
Image source: Aerodome