Brookhaven Approves Georgia's First Police Drone First-Responder Program

Brookhaven, Georgia, approved funding for the Brookhaven Police Department’s UAS unit, making it the first city in the Southeast to adopt a drone first-responder program. The unit will consist of four drones deployed to witness crimes, document scenes, and provide aerial views. The program costs $83,700 in its first year plus $22,600 annually, funded by coronavirus relief funds. Police estimate drone response costs about 10% of dispatching an officer and patrol vehicle. Drones stream HD video to the department’s crime center and have thermal imaging. The department will develop policy preventing intentional recording where privacy is expected.