ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – After a series of fires broke out in the bosque that some officials believe could be intentional arson, the city is hoping new technology will deter and catch suspects.
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Last month, four fires started in the bosque, with at least two that Albuquerque Fire Rescue believes were intentionally set. The Albuquerque Police Department announced it will start a drone patrol over the bosque beginning this Fourth of July weekend. “We want these to be really our eyes in the sky; they’re also going to scan for smoke,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.
For one of the fires, which started near Alameda, a suspect was taken into custody but later released for lack of probable cause. Albuquerque police said having drones will help them see fires sooner and gather better evidence against suspects. “The goal is prevent fires and deter individuals from starting fires but to quickly be able to identify that a fire has been started, find out who is in the area and then direct officers into those individuals that we suspect may have committed some kind of crime,” said Chief Harold Medina, Albuquerque police Department…