UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPVI) — Upper Darby police say a new crime intelligence center and drone docking station are helping officers make arrests more quickly and monitor incidents in real time.<\/p>\n
Police pointed to a June 30 arrest in which a police drone followed a reported stolen vehicle.<\/p>\n
Video released by the department shows the suspect weaving through township streets before pulling over in the stolen 2016 silver Nissan Maxima.<\/p>\n
Officers in unmarked vehicles arrived and arrested the suspect.<\/p>\n
According to police, the arrest was among the first linked to the township’s new crime intel center and drone docking station, a project launched this summer.<\/p>\n
“It’s absolutely changed the game for us in how we police,” Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said.<\/p>\n
Police also highlighted a June 25 arrest following a robbery in the 100 block of 69th Street. Authorities said a drone tracked a 16-year-old suspect after the incident.<\/p>\n
“That individual leaves the store, is walking away, changing clothes and trying to hide the items that are stolen,” Bernhardt said.<\/p>\n
Video shows officers pulling up and arresting the teenager.<\/p>\n
Bernhardt said the technology is helping reduce the need for more aggressive police responses.<\/p>\n
“This is becoming a de-escalation tool without us even realizing it. Why do I say that? Because now the cars are slowing down. They’re not going lights and sirens. They’re not getting there overly aggressive,” he said.<\/p>\n
The crime intel center combines police camera feeds with drone operations. Police said that when a 911 call is received, officers can access cameras at the location and begin monitoring the scene. If suspects move, officers can deploy one of eight drones.<\/p>\n
“It has been such a great tool that we are now using,” Bernhardt said.<\/p>\n
“There’s no waste of time,” he added.<\/p>\n
Upper Darby police said they have installed cameras at more than 20 intersections throughout the township. The department cited a street takeover during the Fourth of July holiday near State Road and Lansdowne Avenue, saying officers made 15 arrests while monitoring the scene in real time.<\/p>\n
“We knew where to strategically place cameras throughout the township,” Bernhardt said.<\/p>\n
As police plan to expand use of the technology in future investigations, Bernhardt emphasized that the system is intended for public safety purposes.<\/p>\n
“We’re not doing anything other than public safety,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We’re not looking at people, we’re not watching people that shouldn’t be watched. We’re not zooming the cameras in. This is strictly a tool,” Bernhardt said.<\/p>\n
Police say the technology will continue to be used as a crime-fighting tool to help monitor incidents and assist in investigations across Upper Darby Township.<\/p>\n
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