Law enforcement officers hope to improve response times for calls for service by employing the technology
This Fourth of July, drones will be used to crack down on the use of illegal fireworks in Southern California. If law enforcement officers get a report of illegal firework use in an area, they will send a drone out to locate the fireworks, allowing officers to view a live feed and determine whether it’s necessary to send a patrol car.
According to the Anaheim Police Department, this technology is helpful because the real-time aerial view can help officers assess situations faster and improve response times. This will be especially important on the Fourth of July, which is a particularly high-volume call for service day, according to Lieutenant Michael Johnson of the Chino Police Department. Johnson told KTLA the police department typically averages about 500 calls for service on the Fourth of July.
This effort is part of the Drones As First Responders program, which is employed by about 1,500 law enforcement agencies across the country, with 58 of those located in California, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
In an Instagram post, the Anaheim Police Department wrote: “By providing responding personnel with a clearer understanding of what is occurring before they arrive, drones can support more informed decision-making and help determine the appropriate level of response, whether that means additional resources are needed or a situation can be safely resolved with a smaller response.”
Illegal fireworks are dangerous because they pose a threat of injury and fire. In California, only “Safe and Sane” fireworks are legal, but each county has different rules. In Los Angeles, all fireworks are illegal.
“This is one more way we’re exploring technology to enhance public safety and better serve our community,” the Anaheim Police Department wrote.