Henderson Police Start Drone Pilot

Henderson police are preparing to launch a program that sends drones to emergency calls before officers or firefighters arrive.

During a 30-day pilot this spring, the drones arrived at the scene first about 70% of the time. The technology also cleared officers from roughly 16% of calls that turned out to be false alarms. Police stated that the drones will only deploy for specific calls for service rather than for general neighborhood surveillance. Cameras on the units will remain pointed at the horizon until the drones reach their destination.

Chief Reggie Rader explained that the drones can fly over traffic to provide visual information faster than patrol cars or fire trucks. He noted that the units can help in situations like carjackings or home invasions by giving responding officers an early look at the scene. Rader said the drones can keep officers from walking into an ambush situation. He described the program as a force multiplier that frees officers to conduct more proactive patrols and community policing.

The department will fund the system using a federal Homeland Security grant and police foundation money. Rader said this approach allows the program to run without using city tax dollars.