How Drones Are Transforming Policing

Last month, a drone from Skyfire | AI was credited with saving a police officer’s life after a dramatic 2 a.m. traffic stop. Many statistics show that AI impacts billions of lives, but sometimes a story still hits me emotionally. Let me share what happened. Skyfire AI, an AI Fund portfolio company led by CEO Don Mathis, operates a public safety program in which drones function as first responders to 911 calls. Particularly when a police department is personnel-constrained, drones can save officers’ time while enhancing their situational awareness. For example, many burglar alarms are false alarms, maybe set off by moisture or an animal. Rather than sending a patrol officer to drive over to discover this, a drone can get there faster and determine if an officer is required at all. If the alarm is real, the drone can help officers understand the situation, the locations of any perpetrators, and how best to respond. In January, a Skyfire AI drone was returning to base after responding to a false alarm when the police dispatcher asked us to reroute it to help locate a patrol officer. The officer had radioed a few minutes earlier that he had pulled over a suspicious vehicle and had not been heard from since. The officer had stopped where two major highways intersect in a complex cloverleaf, and dispatch was unsure exactly where they were located. From the air, the drone rapidly located the officer and the driver of the vehicle he had pulled over, who it turned out had escaped from a local detention facility. Neither would have been visible from the road — they were fighting in a drainage ditch below the highway. Because of the complexity of the cloverleaf’s geometry, the watch officer (who coordinates police activities for the shift) later estimated it would have taken 5-7 minutes for an officer in a patrol car to find them. From the aerial footage, it appeared that the officer still had his radio, but was losing the fight and unable to reach it to call for help. Further, it looked like the assailant might gain control of his service weapon and use it against him. This was a dire and dangerous situation. Fortunately, because the drone had pinpointed the location of the officer and his assailant, dispatch was able to direct additional units to assist. The first arrived not in 5-7 minutes but in 45 seconds. Four more units arrived within minutes. The officers were able to take control of the situation and apprehend the driver, resulting in an arrest and, more important, a safe outcome for the officer. Subsequently, the watch officer said we’d probably saved the officer’s life. [Reach length limit; full text: https://lnkd.in/g3QdKp5Q ]

10 real-world lessons on public safety drones and tech from Sergeant Zach Finfrock on the Smart FireFighting Podcast 🚔 If the rig isn’t practical, the drone won’t fly Zach didn’t build a tech museum. He built a patrol-ready drone vehicle that works on every shift. It handles traffic stops, call responses, and drone launches without missing a beat. That’s how it should be. 🚁 Not replacing helicopters, just reducing wait times Before drones, air support meant maybe getting a chopper if one was free. Now Zach can launch in under a minute and get eyes on a scene before backup even arrives. 🔫 It’s not a toy. It’s another tool on the belt Most tools don’t get used every day. Doesn’t mean they’re optional. The same goes for drones. When you need it, you need it. Period. 📐 Flying a drone means juggling three rulebooks FAA regulations, state laws, and department policy…all at once. On top of the actual emergency unfolding in front of you. It’s not just flying. It’s operating with full accountability. 🗺️ Shared maps > shared radio chatter Drone Flight Hub lets departments drop pins, draw search zones, and stream live feeds. Everyone sees what’s happening without stepping on each other. It makes coordination feel like second nature. 👮♀️ Start with one drone and two solid pilots You don’t need a fleet. You need people who know how to fly and remain calm under pressure. Once the program proves itself, scaling is easy. Starting sloppily is how it dies. 🤔 Drones don’t solve calls. They make them safer Overwatch, recon, real-time support. That’s where drones shine. Not replacing responders, just giving them better tools to make better decisions. 🚨 Real-time crime isn’t a theory. It’s already happening Live drone feeds. Shared platforms. LPRs. Zach and his neighbors are already linking up and supporting each other in real time. It’s not hype. It’s just smart operations. 🔭 AI has potential. But trust comes first Zach isn’t against AI. He’s for smart use. The community has to know that tech helps them, not watches them. Use it well or don’t use it at all. 🙃 If it ain’t broke, cool. But don’t ignore what’s better Zach used to stick with what worked. Now he pushes to try what might work better. That mindset shift matters. Comfort doesn’t move the mission forward. What hit hardest for you? Full podcast episode here: Apple: https://lnkd.in/gKGXkwSh Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gRaSkYia #SmartFirstResponder #SmartFirefighting #DroneOps #PublicSafetyTech #LawEnforcementTools #DFR #RealTimeCrime #FirstResponderTech

FAA Waivers Unlock New Horizons for Public Safety Drones in Fort Wayne’s DFR Program The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is paving the way for a revolution in public safety drone operations, with a landmark waiver granted to the Fort Wayne Police Department at the end of 2024. This first-of-its-kind approval, detailed in a Government Technology report, allows the Indiana agency to deploy drones as part of its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program without a dedicated visual observer. By leaning on advanced sensor technology, this move expands operational capabilities, cuts manpower needs, and signals a broader shift in FAA policy that could soon see DFR programs multiply across the U.S. This article explores the technical breakthroughs, regulatory evolution, and real-world impacts of this development, offering insights for drone professionals, industry leaders, and enthusiasts alike. A Game-Changer for Fort Wayne’s DFR Program Since integrating drones into its operations in 2017 and launching its DFR program in 2021, the Fort Wayne Police Department has been a trailblazer in public safety drone use. The new FAA waiver eliminates the need for a visual observer—typically stationed on a rooftop to monitor the drone’s flight path—replacing human oversight with cutting-edge obstacle avoidance technology. This system, which relies on cameras and sensors to detect and navigate around obstacles, enables drones to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), covering greater distances with fewer personnel. Officer Matt Rowland, a full-time air support pilot with the department, underscored the practical benefits. “Last year, a call came in about a man who possibly had a weapon, and the drone got there and the guy just had a camera in his hand,” he told Government Technology. This ability to quickly assess situations enhances situational awareness and reduces unnecessary escalations. Rowland also noted that drones clarify chaotic dispatch reports, saying: “People have issues sometimes, especially in crisis, with directions… the drone can help sort that out.” With response times slashed and officer safety bolstered, the waiver amplifies the program’s effectiveness. Building Public Trust Through Transparency Public acceptance has been a cornerstone of Fort Wayne’s success. Officer Michael Hickman, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) remote pilot, emphasized the department’s openness. “We allow the community to see what we do, we’ve allowed the City Council to see what we do,” he said. “We’re very clear that these drones are only flying when there’s a call for service. They’re not just buzzing around the city the entire time trying to find something.” This transparency has fostered a positive perception, setting a model for other agencies looking to deploy drones without sparking privacy concerns. The FAA’s Regulatory Shift The Fort Wayne waiver, approved in a brisk five weeks, reflects a notable evolution in FAA policy. Histor...

#Drones provide significant advantages for tactical overwatch in #lawenforcement and #security operations. Here are some key benefits: 1. **Enhanced Surveillance and Reconnaissance**: Drones can provide continuous and real-time aerial surveillance over large areas, offering detailed imagery and video to monitor movements and positions without exposing personnel to risk. 2. **Situational Awareness**: By providing a bird's-eye view, drones enhance situational awareness, allowing command staff to make more informed decisions and react quickly to changing conditions on the ground. 3. **Force Multiplication**: Drones act as a force multiplier by extending the reach and capabilities of the boots on the ground. They can cover vast areas more efficiently than foot patrols and provide critical intelligence that would otherwise require significant manpower and time to gather. 4. **Safety and Risk Reduction**: Using drones minimizes the need for officers to enter potentially dangerous areas, reducing the risk of injury. They can be used to scout ahead, identify threats, and assess the safety of routes or locations. 5. **Stealth and Persistence**: Drones are often quieter and less detectable than manned aircraft, allowing them to conduct surveillance without alerting suspects. They can also stay in the air for extended periods, providing continuous coverage that would be challenging with human operators. 6. **Cost-Effectiveness**: Compared to manned aircraft, CERTAIN drones are generally more cost-effective in terms of purchase, operation, and maintenance. This makes them an economically viable option for continuous tactical overwatch. 7. **Versatility**: Drones can be equipped with a variety of sensors and payloads, including high-resolution cameras, abd thermal imaging. This versatility allows them to adapt to different mission requirements and environments. 8. **Real-Time Data Transmission**: Drones can transmit data and imagery in real-time to command centers, enabling immediate analysis and response. This capability is crucial for dynamic and fast-moving operational scenarios. Overall, drones provide a valuable tool for tactical overwatch, enhancing the effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of law enforcement and security operations. #dronesforgood #drones #lawenforcement #publicsafety #secretservice U.S. Secret Service

𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐈𝐏 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 The integration of drones as first responders (#DFR), combined with cutting-edge Internet Protocol (IP) video technology, marks a new era in #publicsafety. This LiveU approach empowers #lawenforcement and #emergencyservices with real-time #situationalawareness, faster response times, and enhanced officer and public safety. - DFR: A Strategic Advantage By deploying Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) ahead of ground teams—especially during large-scale events or active incidents—agencies gain critical visual intelligence before arriving on scene. A key milestone is enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, allowing drones to cover greater distances and deliver what can be called “quantum situational awareness.” LiveU's flagship IP bonded field encoder for Public Safety and #tactical teams is ready to go - simply plug in your video source (drone, security #camera, or crewed/uncrewed vehicle/ HH camera etc), and start transmitting real-time, secure and reliable video into your selected destination - anywhere at anytime Benefits include: - Rapid location of suspects or missing persons - Advanced scene assessment before human arrival - Reduced risk to officers - Smarter allocation of resources Enhancing Surveillance with LiveU IP Video & LiveU Technology is significantly more effective when monitored in real time. According to the UK College of Policing, actively monitored systems are 15% more effective at reducing crime compared to passive systems. By leveraging LiveU's secure IP video transmission platform: - Real-time crime centers and dispatch units gain precise, high-quality video streams - Field personnel receive live intelligence with low-latency and high-reliability, even in challenging environments. Situational awareness becomes immediate and actionable. Key Enablers for Successful Integration To fully realize the benefits of DFR and IP video streaming, agencies must: - Educate the Public: Build trust through transparency and responsible data use - Advocate for Policy Reform: Enable legal pathways for BVLOS and IP-based surveillance - Invest in #Training: Equip personnel to operate and interpret data while respecting privacy The Road Ahead Over the next decade, cities are expected to deploy drone “nests” on rooftops of fire stations and public buildings, creating a responsive, city-wide aerial network. But success will depend on forward-thinking leadership that embraces innovation, invests in emerging technologies like AI and quantum analytics, and fosters a culture of adaptability. - Visionary public safety leaders must stay several steps ahead—not just one—to safeguard communities in a fast-changing world. CBRNE & CT ATLANTIC BRIDGE (CAB) FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey #uas #drones #firtresponder #cbrn #cbrne

Researchers have developed a Drone Surveillance System (DSS) that uses a ScatterNet Hybrid Deep Learning Network to monitor and identify violent movements. In simpler terms, this means the drone is equipped with artificial intelligence that can recognize patterns associated with aggression or violence by analyzing live video feeds. How Does It Work? - Real Time Monitoring: The drone continuously scans its surroundings, capturing live video footage. - AI Analysis: The onboard AI processes the video to detect specific movements or actions that are indicative of violent behavior. - Accuracy Rates: The system boasts a 94% accuracy rate when observing a single individual. However, accuracy drops to 79% when monitoring a group of ten people, highlighting challenges in crowded environments. Potential Benefits: - Enhanced Public Safety: Quick identification of violent incidents could allow for faster response times from law enforcement or security personnel. - Deterrence: The presence of surveillance drones may deter potential wrongdoers from engaging in violent acts. - Resource Efficiency: Automated monitoring could supplement human efforts, covering larger areas without the need for extensive manpower. AI systems can inadvertently carry biases based on the data they were trained on, potentially leading to disproportionate targeting of certain groups, therefore such applications of AI have to be heavily regulated. While the technology holds promise for improving public safety, it's essential to address the accompanying ethical and legal challenges. Implementing strict guidelines and oversight can help ensure that the technology is used responsibly. Is the deployment of AI-powered surveillance drones a positive step towards safer communities, or does it pose too great a risk to personal privacy? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups