Ocean City Police Launch Advanced Crime-Fighting Drones
Updated June 14, 2024 9:16pm EDT
Ocean City Police Deploying New Crime-Fighting Tool
The Ocean City Police Department has introduced an innovative crime-fighting tool to elevate public safety this summer. This new asset isn’t a bird or a plane, but a fleet of advanced drones.
Fleet of Drones to Patrol Bays, Beach, and Boardwalk
The department recently launched its fleet of drones that will diligently patrol the city's bays, beaches, and boardwalks. According to Lt. Mark Pancoast, who spearheads the drone program, the initiative has already proven its efficacy. "It’s a great tool for the police department, officers’ safety, and public safety. This is our number one goal with having them out here," he stated. The project has been meticulously crafted since March.
Immediate Impact and Success Stories
The new squad consists of three drones and 13 operators, including five FAA Part 107 Certified pilots. In just a few days, the drones have demonstrated their worth:
- A missing man was located in waist-deep water in the bay.
- Suspects from a Camden auto theft were apprehended.
- The Coast Guard received assistance from a drone to rescue a stranded boater.
Advanced Technology Enhancing Public Safety
"You have the height and the ability to see further, so at night, when it may be pitch dark on the beach, you turn on the infrared and you can see four or five blocks," explained Lt. Pancoast. One recent event involved an unconscious woman spotted on the beach after dark; the drone’s infrared technology was instrumental in identifying her location, enabling timely medical attention.
Real-Time Monitoring for Incident Commanders
The department utilizes new-age technology, integrating live video feeds from drones, body-worn cameras, and over 70 city cameras. These feeds are relayed to a monitoring center at police dispatch, where incident commanders make informed, real-time decisions. "A lot of these officers are young; they are born into the technology age, so the days of just sitting in the police car and not having access to information are long gone," Lt. Pancoast added.
Plans for Expansion
Looking ahead, the department aims to broaden the program by training more officers as certified pilots, ensuring comprehensive public safety coverage across Ocean City.
This story highlights the Ocean City Police Department's forward-thinking approach to enhancing public safety with their new drone fleet.
