Unmanned aerial technology has already made waves in several industries like agriculture and surveying. Now, drones are beginning to impact law enforcement. Police in Bensalem, PA, are clearing more retail theft cases than ever before, and officers are giving all the credit to new drones.
Bensalem, PA, Police Using Drones to Improve Clearance Rate
Police officers in Bensalem, PA, were in trouble. The department was facing an epidemic of retail theft, spiking to more than 900 cases in 2023 from about 400 in 2019. Home to the Neshaminy Mall, one of the first malls to open in the country in 1968, retail theft is a big deal for this quiet community of 62,000 in the Greater Philadelphia area.
To combat this epidemic, Bensalem police enlisted the help of a small fleet of drones.
A drone can consistently arrive at crime scenes within two minutes of a crime being reported. Once it arrives, a drone begins combing the area for suspects. If it identifies one, it transmits its location to a police officer, who can arrive at the scene to apprehend the suspect.
Using this technology, Bensalem PD has achieved a retail theft clearance rate of 62% — higher than the national average, they note.
Police Nationwide Are Using Drones for Law Enforcement
Bensalem isn’t the only police department employing drones these days. According to a report last year from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), about 1,400 police agencies are already using drones to augment their law enforcement capabilities. And some major metro areas, like Denver, are implementing drone first responder programs.
Explore Drone Technology at SDI
Many law enforcement agencies are using drones on a daily basis, and they’re going to need people to operate and maintain them. At SDI, you can earn a certificate in drone operation and upkeep. To learn more about the programs SDI offers, click here.
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