NYPD deploys drones in Central Park to combat rising crime

By Joanna Putman
Police1

NEW YORK – The NYPD will use drones to respond to emergency calls in Central Park as part of an effort to curb rising crime in the area. PIX11 reported.

The initiative, which is expected to expand on August 23, is part of the department's Drones as First Responders program, according to the report.

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Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry highlighted the role of drones in improving public safety.

“We are going one step further to keep crime in Central Park low,” Daughtry said.

Drones have already proven themselves in other areas, for example during a violent break-in in Queens, where they quickly helped arrest suspects.

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The drones can search areas for suspects based on specific descriptions and provide valuable clues to officers on the scene, the report said. Daughtry noted that while drones can reach crime scenes more quickly than officers on foot or in patrol cars, they are intended to complement, not replace, traditional policing methods.

Since the program was launched in May, drones have been used in a variety of situations, including violent crime scenes and large crowds. The NYPD believes this technology will continue to help reduce crime in the city, the report said.

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