News
media watched quietly through their lenses as Arlington Police Department
launched a remote-controlled small helicopter at Lake Arlington Thursday
afternoon -- a surveillance drone.
The
process began with officers adhering to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
regulated checklist that must be completed before launching the small
helicopter. The Arlington Police Department recently received approval from the
FAA to fly its two small battery-operated, remote-controlled helicopters after
two years of planning and training.
This
additional tool is one of many public safety options available to police
officers in the ongoing effort to keep Arlington residents and visitors safe.
The helicopter can transmit video to a ground crew and cover wide areas very
quickly. It is also very quiet.
In
an effort to help foster a better understanding of the Aviation Unit, the APD
also created a webpage to educate the public on when and how it will be
operated and to clarify the aircraft’s capabilities.
The Arlington Police Department is among the
first municipal law enforcement entities in the country to utilize the
technology.
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