EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – A sheriff’s department in Arizona plans to use drones to help its deputies patrol areas near the Mexican border.
Cochise County and private contractor Draganfly Inc., are aiming to have the first drones up in the air this fall as part of pilot program in line with a White House executive order called “Unleashing American Drone Dominance.” The order encourages developing, commercializing and exporting American unmanned aerial systems, or UAVs.
Up until illegal migration dropped dramatically in recent months, Cochise County deputies often ran into smugglers as they conducted routine patrols in local and state highways.
Plans call for fixed-wing drones to fly for extended periods of time in border areas that include the Agua Prieta-Douglas-Naco corridor as well as artificial intelligence traditional four-rotor drones with thermal imaging capacity to assist deputies in quick-response situations.
The partnership with Draganfly “will enhance our ability to protect communities, manage humanitarian concerns and respond rapidly to evolving threats,” Cochise County Sherif’s Office Capt. Tim Williams said in a statement announcing the pilot program.
He said the pilot wouldn’t cost taxpayers any money.
Draganfly released its own statement on Monday
“We are honored to be working with the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office for this historic program,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. “Their team represents some of the best of American law enforcement; innovation-focused, community-minded, and mission-ready.”
In a separate post on YouTube, Chell said the drones will enhance surveillance and interdiction capabilities for law enforcement on the border.
He said Cochise County is already using other forms of technology to keep its citizens safe. That includes high-resolution cameras, ground and mobile sensors.
Chell said he hopes the company’s systems will become part of standard border management procedures for the county and other entities in “high stakes, high traffic regions like the southern border.”
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