Starting September 13, drones will become the first responders for certain 911 calls in Huntington Beach. This initiative, known as the Drones as First Responders Program, aims to cut response times significantly. Currently, it takes police about five minutes to reach a scene, but drones can arrive in under two minutes.
The Huntington Beach Police Department will deploy three Skydio X10 drones from rooftops at strategic locations, including near Bella Terra outdoor mall and Huntington Beach City Hall. According to Fox LA, these drones have a two-mile radius and are controlled remotely using an Xbox controller. Seventeen officers, certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will operate the drones.
Police Lt. Chris Nesmith highlighted the advantage of drones providing a bird’s-eye view of scenes before officers arrive. This capability allows officers to monitor situations and gather critical details, such as suspect descriptions, which can aid in investigations and prosecutions. Detective Taylor Davoren, a pilot for the program, emphasized the importance of quickly capturing evidence to build stronger cases.
The program, funded at $120,000 annually, covers equipment, training, and support. While some might worry about privacy, Nesmith assured that this is not a surveillance program but a reactive public safety initiative. Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns, a former police pilot, expressed enthusiasm for the program, noting its potential to efficiently manage large perimeters during emergencies.
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