Phoenix Says Cops Need Drones for Violent Crime Control
The city has approved the purchase of drones to deal with violent hostage situations. The technology will help cops communicate with an individual or individuals inside a home, explained one police official.
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The Phoenix Police Department will soon be purchasing drones after the city’s Council approved the measure in a 6-3 vote, reports NBC News 12. Police requested the drones in the wake of a recent incident in West Phoenix where nine officers were wounded and a woman was killed when a suspect barricaded himself in a home and eventually shot himself. Councilwoman Betty Guardado and Councilman Carlos Garcia both objected to the program, saying most of the council had not read the police department’s proposed regulations and procedures, and that more community input was needed to develop them. Executive Assistant Chief Michael Kurtenbach said a drone program would prevent violent hostage situations and similar public safety threats by giving police more situational knowledge. “This technology would not only give us a visual picture of what’s occurring inside,” said Kurtenbach. “What we’re proposing is to procure the technology to communicate with the individual or individuals inside that home.”
