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Clovis Police Using Drones to Aid in Emergency Responses
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
April 21, 2020

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There’s a new buzz in the air in Clovis, and it’s not bees pollinating trees.

Clovis police are using drones as part of their law-enforcement strategy.

“If the drone can respond and get on scene first, it will be able to provide our officers with real-time video and give us some good situational awareness of what is happening.” — Clovis Police Lt. Jim Munro

Under a 90-day pilot program, drones will act the way police helicopters do, says Lt. Jim Munro.

“It will allow our officers to keep some distance in this current COVID emergency, to where they may not have to respond to calls, they may not actually have to make personal contact, based upon what the drone is seeing,” Munro said.

Responding to Emergency Calls

Drones will respond to emergency calls such as shootings and thefts.

“If the drone can respond and get on scene first, it will be able to provide our officers with real-time video and give us some good situational awareness of what is happening,” Munro said.

A dispatch center operator will monitor drone video. A pilot on a rooftop will also keep a visual on the device at all times.

Success at the Chula Vista Police Dept. inspired Clovis to try drones. According to a Clovis police news release, Chula Vista drones responded to 2,000 emergency calls, arriving on the scene in half the time an officer can.

In one instance, Munro said, a Chula Vista police drone helped detect that a crime suspect that evaded officers looked like he may have had a gun. But, as the drone camera zoomed in, it revealed it was a cigarette lighter. The information was relayed to officers, potentially saving lives.

A Second Police Drone Operation

This is Clovis PD’s second drone program. Some patrol officers began using drones in 2018 to aid in calls. The department has 15 drones and nine trained pilots.

The new system will allow the drones to be launched from the rooftop of the dispatch center.

The pilot program will use a one loaner drone from drone-maker DJI. After 90 days, the department will have to budget the purchase of a drone and staff to operate.

At least two of the department’s current drones could be used for the new program if needed, Munro said.

Privacy Concerns

Clovis police are aware of privacy concerns drones may cause. Munro says they will only use the device reacting to a situation.

“We don’t conduct any type of proactive surveillance or proactive flights. These drones will only be launched from the rooftop if there is some type of emergency call to go along with it,” Munro said.

 

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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