WEST HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station is investing heavily in a drone pilot program that will have drones acting as first responders. The drones will gather information in real time, alerting authorities when suspects are on the move, if they changed clothes, or other details that can benefit their investigation.
The Drone as a First Responder program, or DFR, is a pilot program that will allow deputies to test the efficacy of drones aiding law enforcement in the real world. The pilot will be conducted over one year and will cost $750,000.
The decision was made during a West Hollywood City Council meeting on June 29. The program is anticipated to be up and running by late July.
West Hollywood will be the first sheriff’s station in Los Angeles County to implement such a program. West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station Captain Fanny Lapkin informed reporters the drone will act as law enforcement’s “eyes in the sky.”
The drones will give deputies an aerial view of events as they unfold, similar to a police helicopter. Officials say the drones will be cheaper, quicker, and easier to deploy than a helicopter. The drones will not be allowed to use facial recognition, carry weapons, or randomly surveil citizens, as outlined in the department’s policy.
By Milan Manesh