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THEMARICOPAMOD.COM / CRIME

Scottsdale PD set to use drones as First Repsonders, but citizen privacy issues cast long shadow

The program aims to handle low-priority calls, to free up officers for more urgent tasks.
PUBLISHED JUL 31, 2024
The first drone is expected to go live in 60 days, serving as a proof of concept.
The first drone is expected to go live in 60 days, serving as a proof of concept.

Scottsdale, Arizona: The Scottsdale Police Department is set to become the first in Arizona to implement a Drones-as-First-Responder (DFR) program. This approach aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement by providing real-time information to officers, reducing response times, and potentially resolving situations without the need for officers on-site.

Rich Slavin, Assistant Chief of the Uniformed Services Bureau for the Scottsdale Police Department, highlighted the program's benefits in a freewheeling interview with KTAR News 92.3 FM: "Being able to get eyes into the area and see what’s happening within seconds is providing us so much positive intelligence and helps us lead to capturing suspects as they're carrying out crimes."

He emphasized the value of quick response times, noting, "Twenty-five years on the job, I know what these time delays mean in general, so to see that we can actually get ahead of that power curve is very exciting."

This approach aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement.
This approach aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement.

The drones, developed by startup Aerodome, can travel at speeds of up to 53 mph within a three-mile radius. They will operate in conjunction with the Scottsdale Police Department's Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), which utilizes 5,000 camera feeds to aid in crime prevention. In emergencies, such as major car accidents, the drones can be deployed to the scene faster than officers, providing crucial information that allows officers to make informed decisions before arriving.

The program also aims to handle low-priority calls, like inspecting disabled vehicles, to free up officers for more urgent tasks. Slavin assured the public that privacy concerns are being addressed, with drone cameras pointing forward during transit and only focusing on specific scenes once arrived.

The first drone is expected to go live in 60 days, serving as a proof of concept. "I want our program to be public. I want people to know that if you come into our city and commit a crime, we’re going to catch you," Slavin told KTAR.

Who runs Aerodome?

Aerodome is a company specializing in DFR technology. Founded by CEO Rahul Sidhu and Chief Architect Kenaniah Cerny, the company offers a turnkey solution designed to enhance the efficiency of emergency responses.

Fritz Reber, current Vice President at Aerodome and former Captain at the Chula Vista Police Department, established the world's first Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) program in 2017.
Fritz Reber, current Vice President at Aerodome and former Captain at the Chula Vista Police Department, established the world's first Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) program in 2017.

The company has recently raised $21.5 million in Series A funding, led by CRV with participation from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Karman Ventures, and others. The company also announced an exclusive partnership with Hextronics to integrate a rapid battery-changing system for their drones, ensuring continuous operation and efficiency.

The problem with police drones

The use of drones by police departments has raised several privacy concerns, primarily related to surveillance and data collection practices.

Surveillance Overreach: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and other sensors can capture detailed images and videos. This capability can lead to concerns about the potential for constant surveillance, which some argue could be used to monitor individuals' movements and activities without their knowledge or consent.

Data Storage and Use: There are questions about how the data collected by police drones is stored, who has access to it, and how long it is retained.

Lack of Transparency: Many privacy advocates worry that there is insufficient transparency about how drones are being used by police, including details about the missions they undertake, the areas they surveil, and the specific technologies they employ.

Potential for Misuse: There is also concern about the potential misuse of drone technology by law enforcement. For instance, drones could potentially be used to track individuals without warrants or proper authorization, circumventing legal protections meant to safeguard citizens' rights​​.

Public Spaces and Private Property: The distinction between public and private spaces becomes blurred with the use of drones. While police drones can legally operate in public spaces, their cameras can inadvertently or intentionally capture footage of private properties, raising issues about the invasion of private spaces​

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