Amarillo’s Regional Crime Center is expanding its drone program, adding two new drones to its fleet in an effort to improve emergency response times. The decision, approved during Tuesday’s city council meeting, is part of an initiative known as "Drones as First Responders" (DFR), designed to provide valuable intelligence to first responders before they arrive at the scene of a call.
Lt. Shane Chadwick, commanding officer of the Amarillo Regional Crime Center, explained that the drones are stationed in a dock and launched to the scene of an emergency, providing real-time situational awareness. “The idea is the drones are standing in a dock. When a big or dangerous call comes in, we can launch them to the scene before the officers get there, giving them an understanding of what's going on at the scene," Chadwick said.
The expansion of the program has generated some concern among local residents, particularly regarding privacy issues. One concerned citizen voiced their concerns at the council meeting, questioning whether the use of drones could violate Texas House Bill 1631, which places restrictions on government surveillance. “Are these cameras and drones in violation of Texas House Bill 1631? I feel like they are,” the resident stated. “I've read over the bill, it’s three pages, and I provided it for all of you guys a few council meetings ago.”
Chadwick responded by assuring the public that the drones are not intended for surveillance but rather serve as a support tool for first responders. He emphasized that the drones are deployed only when a call for service is made and are not used for continuous monitoring. “They’re good enough for us to be able to get on scene to a call for service, to give an eye to the officer if they request it. And probably have about ten minutes on scene before we need to bring them back and recharge them," Chadwick clarified. "It’s not like something’s orbiting the city 24/7, constantly taking video of stuff.”
Since its inception in 2022, the drone program has already conducted more than 5,600 missions, working with various city departments, including the fire department, airport management, and water treatment plant. Chadwick shared that the drones have been used in a wide range of situations, from mapping and monitoring floods to assisting with wildfire prevention efforts. "We sent our drone out there to make sure the fires weren’t going to potentially hit our electric plant," he said, pointing out that the drones serve numerous roles beyond law enforcement.
While some remain concerned about the potential for privacy violations, the Crime Center is inviting community members to learn more about the program and ask questions at an upcoming open house. The event will be held on February 24 and 25, providing an opportunity for the public to see the drones in action and learn about their diverse applications.
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