Newark PD Enhances Suspect Apprehension with Drone Technology

Newark PD's New Drone Technology

• 🚁 The Newark Police Department is implementing advanced drone technology to assist in tense and dangerous situations, particularly police pursuits.
• 🎯 These drones provide a crucial bird's-eye view, enabling officers to track down and arrest suspects more effectively.

Enhancing Officer Safety

• 🛡️ The adoption of this technology was partly a response to the tragic death of Sergeant Detective Joseph Askuna, aiming to make police work safer for officers.
• 🤝 Drones facilitate constant communication, ensuring officers on the ground are aware of the situation before arriving at a scene.

Operational Capabilities

• 📍 Newark PD utilizes four larger drones and four handheld drones, all designed for ease of operation.
• 📺 Officers and command staff can view real-time video feeds, allowing for quick deployment and precise tracking of suspects, even through complex environments like alleys.
• ⚡ Drones can fly at 30-40 mph, enabling them to follow fleeing suspects, including those on foot or operating scooters.

Impact and Testing

• 📈 The drone program has been tested over 1,000 times since July.
• ✅ This technology has already proven effective in removing dangerous criminals from the streets of Newark, New Jersey.