Public Safety UAS News

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that the unmanned aircrafts are state of the art and they will help respond to official police business at a faster rate. Officials said the drones are more cost-effective than manned aircraft and can be used in risky environments, including natural disasters, that would endanger troopers. NY state troopers are at the forefront of artificial intelligence as they will deploy drones in certain areas to conduct official police work. Four drones are scheduled to take flight this month – one each for State Police Troops A, D, F and G – with 14 additional automatons slated to be deployed by the State Police by April. State officials believe with drones, it will be easier and faster to reconstruct serious motor vehicle crashes, resulting in shorter road closures and reducing the impact on motorists. The new program will be used to support law enforcement missions, including disaster response and traffic safety. A drone flying with an airplane passing overhead above Old Bethpage, New York. “We will continue to implement innovative technologies to improve our ability to protect New Yorkers”, the governor added Wednesday. Troopers who will operate the drones will be certified by the FAA and undergo 32 hours of hands-on training. State police in western New York will be among the first across New York State to use drone technology to assist with law enforcement efforts. The drones can also be used in risky situations, including natural disasters, to keep troopers safe. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has a 22-drone fleet that they use for a variety of purposes, including evaluating eroded coastline on Lake Ontario past year. Newburgh Gazette Link