Tag Archives: UAV

Building a Drone Program for Public Safety

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For immediate release

 

contact:

Dr. Robin R. Murphy, Texas A&M robin.r.murphy@tamu.edu

David Merrick, Florida State University dmerrick@em.fsu.edu

 

Lost hikers found, swimmers rescued with a deployed floatation device, wildfires located from above. Headlines about emergency responders using small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are increasingly common around the world, but the need for accurate, reliable information to inform the many decisions that must be made to implement this exciting new technology effectively can be hard to come by, and expensive.

 

Texas A&M now offers a five-hour, 0.5 CEU credit online course designed to enable emergency managers to make strategic decisions about starting a sUAS program. The course is unique in that it is not about flying, passing a Part 107 license, or using mapping software but rather about how to define missions for sUAS, train and equip for those missions, and understand the legal, regulatory, and community support ramifications. It specifically covers the types of missions that different small UAS have been used for, what are the practical considerations in buying a small UAS or working with a drone company, what kind of manpower and administrative impact sUAS will have, and best practices for training and deploying. The course distills lessons learned by the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue members’ deployments to more than 15 disasters, starting with Hurricane Katrina (2005) and including Fukushima Daiichi, as well as nearly 400 sorties at Hurricanes Harvey and Irma–all at the request of local agencies, and closely coordinated with existing assets. While aimed at emergency professionals, the course offers valuable insights for independent operators looking to serve emergency responders. The course can be taken online, or in conjunction with hands-on classes that are also being offered. The course costs $200, and is the first in an online certificate program being co-developed by Texas A&M Humanitarian Robotics and AI Laboratory and Florida State University Center for Disaster Risk Policy in conjunction with the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue, a nonprofit organization created to study and implement robotic technology in disaster and emergency response.

 

To learn more or register, see http://teesedge.tamu.edu/modules/shop/index.html?action=section&OfferingID=81&SectionID=81  Contact teesedge@tamu.edu for more information about the course and online delivery mechanisms. Contact robin.r.murphy@tamu.edu for classroom versions of the class or to have a tailored, hands-on class.

 

The Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue is a nonprofit corporation established in 2001 by Texas A&M, and is now an independent entity, the world’s leading organization in deploying, promoting, training, documenting, analyzing, and disseminating scientific knowledge about the use of unmanned systems for disasters. See crasar.org for more information or contact Dr. Robin Murphy, robin.r.murphy@tamu.edu.

Body of missing Carol Smalley believed to have been found

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PUBLISHED: 07:48 10 January 2018 | UPDATED: 15:22 10 January 2018

A body believed to be that of Carol Smalley has been found. Picture: Norfolk Police

A body believed to be that of Carol Smalley has been found. Picture: Norfolk Police

A body found at an RSPB nature reserve is believed to be that of a 54-year-old woman who went missing from a Norfolk beach.

A body of a female was found on a beach at Minsmere Nature Reserve in Suffolk on Tuesday.

While police said formal identification of the woman’s body is due to take place, it is believed to be that of 54-year-old Carol Smalley, from Lincolnshire.

Her next of kin have been informed.

Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file for the coroner will now be prepared.

Mrs Smalley was last seen on Wednesday, January 3 with her clothes and a bag found on a beach at Hopton.

Her disappearance had led to extensive searches with police even using a drone.

Previous searches involved lifeboat crews and Coastguard teams, a Lowland Search and Rescue Team and the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.

Fort Collins police using drones to expedite crash investigations

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, cniedringhaus@coloradoan.comPublished 3:51 p.m. MT Jan. 10, 2018 | Updated 9:21 p.m. MT Jan. 10, 2018
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In 2017, Fort Collins police launched drones to investigate serious and fatal crashes for the first time.

The program’s first flight was in August, and police used the technology seven times during the course of crash investigations last year.

The drones help police snap photos faster and open roads sooner, according to members of Fort Collins police CRASH team, which responds to serious crashes.

In the past, police had to close the affected road or intersection, use small yellow tents to mark evidence and collect measurements between the markers. They might place anywhere from 40 to 150 evidence tents.

That painstaking process took hours — sometimes more than six — during which frustrated motorists couldn’t drive through the area.

Crashes: 2017 was deadliest year on Fort Collins streets in more than a decade

With the use of drones, police continue to mark evidence with tents but can expedite the process by snapping overhead photos and then calculating measurements after the scene has reopened.

Police will still spend several hours on scene examining evidence and taking close-up photographs, but the drone can help shave several hours off the process.

“At the scene, all we’re really doing with the drone is taking pictures. We can take those pictures and bring them back,” said officer Drew Jurkofsky, a CRASH team member trained in scene reconstruction.

“We’ll still spend two to three hours taking the measurements, but we do that (at the police station) instead of in the roadway.”

Driving: 10,000 Colorado drivers arrested in 2017 DUI patrols

Police also said they close roads or intersections in serious cases but try to limit the closure.

“If you see us taking an entire intersection, it means it’s serious or at least it looks that way on face value,” said Sgt. Sara Lynd, who leads the CRASH team. “We try not to take anything that we don’t need.”

Police emphasize that closing a road protects officers on scene and protects evidence that would otherwise be lost under the tires of passing cars.

Story continues below photo.

“There’s a lot of evidence at a crash scene that isn’t readily apparent,” Jurkofsky said. “A lot of that evidence, if cars drive over it, it’s gone. It’s very transient.”

Drones won’t replace the rest of the investigative techniques police use, though.

“It’s not the end-all be-all,” said officer Tim Brennan, another member of the CRASH team. “There are limitations where you can fly” — such as in areas with dense foliage or power lines, and when the weather is bad. They also take more time when light is low and at night.

That being said, Fort Collins police anticipate that other agencies in the county will begin using drones more regularly in their own crash investigations because they act as a helpful tool in collecting more evidence.

Roads: Where to expect construction in 2018

Fort Collins Police Services, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Loveland and Colorado State University police departments, Poudre Fire Authority, and Loveland Fire Rescue Authority collectively launched a regional unmanned aerial system program in late June 2017 to assist in investigations, including serious crashes and backcountry search and rescue operations.

The six participating agencies have a total of five drones, and each agency has a group of FAA-certified pilots. They’ve outlined polices, procedures, and privacy and safety information on larimeruas.com.

Reporter Cassa Niedringhaus covers breaking news for the Coloradoan. Follow her on Twitter: @CassaMN.

CRASH team investigations

2017: 28

2016: 27

2015: 20

2014: 22

2013: 23

2012: 19

Source: Fort Collins Police Services \

SOURCE

Oregon State Police testing high-flying technology

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Courtesy Oregon State Police

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ST HELENS, Ore. — As he prepares to launch the mini 4 rotor helicopter in the parking lot of his St. Helens office, Oregon State Police trooper William Bush is very formal, following all the rules.

“We’re not pilots that are out there flying around casually,” he said.

There’s a pre-flight check, ground rules for operation, and information, mainly still pictures, that are is recorded with the help of different software.

One thing you don’t do here is call this piece of technology a “drone.” It’s an sUAS – small Unmanned Aircraft System.

Bush has been authorized to test the sUAS. He’s a member of OSP’s Collision Reconstruction Unit.

“The easiest way to say it is, we’re the ones that document the physical evidence,” he said. “And then there are tiers within the unit that are experts in its analysis.”

Until recently, the team has employed everything from simple technology like a tape measure, to photos and video, and a GPS-based surveying device to record data at crash scenes. It’s a process that can take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours depending on how serious the crash is. They have to take time recording information because distance calculations matter in their work.

The sUAS flies along a planned out path scanning and capturing the photos which can eventually be rendered into a top down view or 3-D image of the scene. The technology has opened some new doors for investigators.

“We have a readout of everything that’s going on,” said Bush. The FAA and Oregon state statutes mandate the sUAS can only climb to 300 feet. Troopers have a five-day window once an investigation starts to fly the helicopter.

“Obviously people don’t want law enforcement in particular up in the air always looking, that’s not our purpose at all,” he said.

Troopers are working to expedite the investigation process.

The testing is being supported by a small grant, but the technology and associated software are changing too rapidly for OSP to make a full investment right now.

“It’s expanded use, we’re going to be taking those incremental steps, because we don’t want to make an investment that’s irresponsible with taxpayer money,” he said.

But the future is bright for this technology, and Bush believes the possibilities of its use are far-reaching.

“Watching it develop over the course of the next five years, I’m in a fortunate position to be able to be a part of it,” he said.

SOURCE

2018 Already Busy for Police Drones

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Posted By: Jason Reaganon:

From the green hills of Northern Ireland to the sunny shores of Trinidad, police drones are on patrol – saving lives, pursuing bad guys and protecting borders.

Estonia

Last week, the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board demonstrated nine recently purchased ELIX-XL quadcopters from Estonian drone company ELI Airborne Solutions deployed to protect the Baltic nation’s eastern border. The $600,000 drone squadron will also be used for search and rescue.

“The use of drones in the everyday work of the border guard creates even better possibilities for preventing, detecting and stopping border incidents,” Estonian Interior Ministry official Raivo Kuut told the media. “Whether it is an illegal border crossing, a rescue incident on a border body of water or a landscape search — the information gathered with the help of a done gives border guards additional possibilities for planning and executing their activities,” added state police official Helen Neider-Veerme.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland police launched drones last week to search for a 31-year-old missing man. Beatbox performer Michael Cullen was last seen Jan. 9 in the Cave Hill region near Belfast. His disappearance was described as “highly out of character.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Air Support Unit is sweeping the area north of Belfast. The PSNI implemented the drone program in 2013, to protect a G8 summit in Belfast. The drone cop quickly earned its keep, providing the bomb squad with a bird’s-eye view of a small, unexploded explosive that was later defused.

Trinidad

Last week, officers in Trinidad tracked down two suspects who reportedly fired shots before fleeing the scene in a stolen car. Using one of four year-old drones, police were able to gather real-time imagery of the car as it snaked through the streets of El Dorado. Thanks to the eye in the sky, police successfully detained two men, recovering a Lugar semi-automatic pistol and more than 180 grams of marijuana.

“We want to use these drones to ensure that police carry out their duties within the legal framework that governs the [national police],” a police official said.

Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is looking for some unmanned police assistance via drone. Police are seeking a drone facility to “provide a 24-hour call-out to assist with road traffic collisions, area searches and crime scene investigations,” according to news reports.

The program is part of an emerging tech strategy the constabulary announced two years ago and includes plans to add body cameras, license-plate recognition software and autonomous speed detectors.

 

SOURCE

Police continue search for stolen vehicles

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Police continue search for stolen vehicles

Jan. 14, 2018 at 9:06 p.m.
Updated Jan. 15, 2018 at 6 a.m.

Police are still searching for vehicles stolen from Dale's Fun Center.

Police are still searching for vehicles stolen from Dale’s Fun Center.   MCT GRAPHIC for The Victoria Advocate

The Victoria Police Department has not made any arrests related to stolen vehicles from Dale’s Fun Center, as of Sunday afternoon.

Officers are still investigating the crime and searching for vehicles that have not been recovered, said Sgt. Lee Lemmons, with the Victoria Police Department.

About $184,000 in stolen all-terrain vehicles were recovered Saturday morning in DeWitt County.

Between Thursday and Friday, unknown burglars broke into Dale’s Fun Center, 9802 N. Navarro St., and stole eight utility terrain vehicles, seven all-terrain vehicles and two Jet Skis with a combined estimated value of $200,000.

Six vehicles have not been recovered, and 11 were recovered Saturday morning. The recovered vehicles were found in a barn in northern DeWitt County on Dickinson Road, said Sheriff Carl Bowen, with the DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies searched the property with a drone searching for the other vehicles.

“We worked together with them,” Bowen said. “They recovered a significant amount of property and were able to get it back to the people it belonged to – that’s a good day.”

Drone will be police’s eye in the sky

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By by Adrian Darbyshire adrian.darbyshire@iomtoday.co.im Twitter:@iomAdrian in Crime

Police are looking to recruit an eye in the sky to support front line operations.

The force is advertising for expressions of interest from suppliers who can provide a drone facility. They will provide a 24-hour call-out to assist with road traffic collisions, area searches and crime scene investigations.

The drones will capture video footage and still images and be able to provide a live video feed as well as a live time thermal image feed.

They will need to be able to operate in a range of environments including bad weather conditions.

The initial term of contact will be 12 months and the applicants must have all appropriate Isle of Man Civil Aviation permissions.

Introduction of drone technology is part of the digital strategy launched by the constabulary in 2016, with other planned innovations including body-worn cameras, mobile speed detection cameras and automatic number plate recognition.

Chief Constable Gary Roberts said the force’s vision is to use technology to predict, respond to and ultimately to prevent crime.

Drone operators wishing to express an interest are asked to contact Inspector Allan Thompson at police headquarters in Douglas or email him at allan.thompson@gov.im

Expressions of interest must be received by noon on January 26.

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=38068&headline=Drone%20will%20be%20police%27s%20eye%20in%20the%20sky&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2018

 

WATCH | Drone captures images of Fairlawn mansion fire

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Officials say one third of the home is completely destroyed.
Author: WKYC
Published: 7:00 PM EST January 14, 2018

Crews responded to a fire at an abandoned mansion,Saturday around 9 p.m.

Take a look at drone images from the blaze courtesy of Christian Viering.

Several area departments responded to assist and we able to successful get the fire under control around midnight.

It is unclear at this time what caused the estimated 10-12 thousand square foot home to catch fire.

Officials say one third of the home is completely destroyed.

Take a look at the after images, courtesy of Christian Viering.

Supporting crews were released around 2 a.m., while the Fairlawn Fire Department remained on the scene throughout the night, to manage hot spots.

*All photography and videography courtesy of Christian Viering.

© 2018 WKYC

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Crown Point to add drone to city inventory

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CROWN POINT — City public safety, special events and engineering departments are hovering into a new tech era with the aid of a municipal drone.

The Crown Point Board of Works has approved a purchase, not to exceed $5,000, for a flying drone, equipment and certification for users.

The airborne devices allow high vantage points for surveillance and photos, including at crime scenes.

The city also will seek waivers through the Federal Aviation Administration for flying the drone at night, flying above crowds and flying out of line-of-sight, Crown Point Information Technology Director Adam Graper said.

The unmanned aerial system would be used for public safety, engineering and special events, city officials said.

Crown Point Police General Services Officer Nathan Way, who has experience using drone tech, would be one of the municipal employees certified to use the city’s drone.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Police Chief Pete Land said. “I think it’s something we should do.”

The city is considering a Phantom 4 Pro drone that costs about $1,500, not including accessories.

Graper said other communities are using drones, including Gary and Valparaiso police departments, to assist in a variety of investigations, including locating missing people and taking aerial photos at crime scenes.

Valparaiso police Sgt. Mike Grennes has said drones are especially useful during missing persons investigations, allowing officers wider views of large areas within short windows of time.

Police officials in Valparaiso said state law limits how drones can be used in investigations, including prohibitions on gathering information in private areas without a warrant.

Valparaiso police IT Officer Phil Rochon previously told The Times less than 2 percent of law enforcement agencies nationwide had FAA certification to use drones.

SOURCE

Toledo Police locate missing teenager

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TOLEDO (13abc Action News) UPDATE: ‪Toledo police have found the missing teenager. They posted the following message on Facebook: “Thankfully, Quamell Jones has been found safe … A passerby saw him walking on the AW Trail by Sherwood. Thank you for the shares. Great job to the citizen that stopped and called #toledopolice! ‬Thanks to the teachers from Autism Model Academy that joined the search.”

Toledo Police tell 13abc that officers are still searching for 15-year-old Quamell Jones. Quamell was last seen on N. Holland Sylvania early Saturday morning. The teen has autism and police say he functions at an 8-year-old level. Wind chills overnight were below zero. Toledo Police said they have K-9s, marked units, and even a drone looking for the autistic teenager.

Quamell is a black male and was last seen wearing a puffy style black coat, blue jeans, and brown shoes. He weighs 120 pounds and it 5’9″.

He used to live on Fernwood and attends the Autism Model Academy over on Tremainsville. If you have any idea of where Quamell Jones may be, call 9-1-1 or 419-245-1111. LINK

NY Launches State Police Drone Program Newburgh Gazette

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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