Explaining why a police department needs drones is pretty simple when you think about how policing is changing. With fewer officers, tight budgets, and more tech-savvy folks out there, it’s clear that police work needs to evolve to keep our communities safe.
Drones are a great solution to these challenges. They can make police work more efficient, effective, and safer, all while saving money. Picture this: every officer with a drone in their patrol car. That’s a powerful image when asking for funding for a drone program.
Let’s Talk About How Drones Can Make Our Communities Safer
More and more police departments are using drones these days. In fact, about 5,000 departments across the country have started using this technology.
This isn’t just because of extra money from COVID relief or federal grants. It’s mainly because drones are super useful for all sorts of police work. Let’s look at how one state used drones in 2020:
- They helped investigate car crashes and recreate accident scenes
- They gathered important info at crime scenes
- They helped respond to disasters more quickly
- They improved security and planning for big events
But that’s not all drones can do. Here are some more ways they can help:
Keeping Officers Safer
By sending drones into dangerous situations first, police can protect their officers better. Drones are great at getting into tight spaces, moving between buildings, and reaching tricky areas. For example, if someone’s hiding behind some dumpsters in an alley, a drone can check it out before officers go in.
Helping Officers Do More
Many towns and cities need more police presence, but hiring new officers is tough and expensive. With drones, one officer can do the job of many, keeping an eye on things from above without waiting for helicopters or extra people to arrive.
Managing Crowds and Keeping Events Safe
It’s hard to keep big events safe without lots of officers and money. We’ve seen some scary stuff happen at events like the Boston Marathon. Even at smaller events, it’s tough to handle minor problems. Drones can help by watching large areas efficiently.
They’re useful for unexpected events too. In the Bay Area, they deal with illegal car meetups that cause trouble at night. Instead of sending lots of officers into risky situations, drones can spot license plates and people from a safe distance. Then, officers can make arrests later when it’s safer.
Improving Investigations at Crash and Crime Scenes
In the past, investigators only had cameras and video. Now, they use drones to recreate what happened from all angles. This helps them find evidence much faster.
Making Chases and Searches Easier
Drones can follow suspects from the air during chases, helping officers track them and find any evidence they might drop. They’re also great for finding missing people, especially in tough terrain. With thermal cameras, drones can search big areas quickly and find people even in harsh conditions.
Why Drones are Great for Police Work
Drones aren’t just versatile and helpful for doing more with less. They also save money and can make the police department more accountable to the community.
Making Air Support Available to More Departments
While some departments rely on seized money or military hand-me-downs, drones offer a cheaper way to handle less urgent calls. They cost way less than using a helicopter, which can run $5,000 to $10,000 per flight. This means departments can use their resources more wisely and still keep an eye on things from above.
As police face new challenges, drones are becoming a smart, affordable way to keep officers and the public safe while making the most of tight budgets and staff.
