Over the past several years, in increasing amounts, the Arlington Police Department has sent unique types of first responders to calls. They have four legs, none of which can walk. They weigh a fraction of most people. They have skin like steel. And, most importantly — they fly.
Hailed from officers patrolling the city and cubicle launch nests rooted into department rooftops, Arlington police’s quadcopter drones help clear lower priority calls and assist officers by gathering information.
Arlington’s drone program is part of a growing trend across police departments nationwide to reduce response times and cut costs. The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Atlas of Surveillance documents more than 1,700 U.S. law enforcement agencies that now employ drones…