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The Yonkers Police Department announced the launch of its Drone as a First Responder pilot program during a press conference held on Wednesday, July 10.
As part of the initiative, the only one of its kind in Westchester, the department will use one drone outfitted with high-definition cameras and thermal imaging and will fly alongside and overhead officers during calls.
The drone will launch from the roof of St. Joseph's Medical Center and will be remotely operated by a pilot, streaming a real-time video feed to officers and supervisors in the field over smartphones and laptops.
From its launch location, the drone will have the ability to reach approximately 60 percent of all police calls for service, according to the department.
The department added that the program will help officers evaluate the resources needed for each call, prepare a proper response, and increase the safety of first responders.
The pilot program will last 60 days as the department assesses how effective the technology is. During this time, it will operate five days a week, eight hours a day through Saturday, Aug. 31.
"Despite the challenges, our officers here in Yonkers consistently prove they are the best at what they do. Today, we are giving them yet another tool to help them serve the people of this city with the addition of our drone as a first responder," said Commissioner Christopher Sapienza.
"This new technology transforms traditional police response by allowing our officers to view a scene while responding, giving them vital information that can be used to make more informed decisions upon arriving," Sapienza added.
Once the pilot program is complete, the department will assess its effectiveness and come up with plans to move toward a full-time operation.
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