The Albuquerque Police Department has officially launched a drone program that has already assisted in four arrests and conducted more than 200 flights in its first month of operation, city officials announced Thursday.
The program, which began in August, features drones housed in strategically placed “hives” on rooftops and city facilities throughout Albuquerque that can deploy within 90 seconds to respond to emergency calls, according to Police Chief Harold Medina and Mayor Tim Keller.
“This program represents a huge leap forward for public safety in Albuquerque,” Keller said during the announcement. “We are embracing innovation to give our officers the tools they need to fight crime more effectively, while also helping keep them and our community safe.”…