Portland police will test drones

(APRIL 7, 2023) Portland police department has announced that it will be testing drones for one year. These drones will assist in many situations like documenting crash scenes, monitoring traffic, responding to bomb threats, and helping in searches and disasters. The project will begin in about 60 days and will cost less than $80,000. The drones will be marked with the police and city logos. 

The Portland City Council has authorized the use of drones. The drones will not be used for spying on people, facial recognition, or managing crowds. The police department’s Traffic Division and Metro Explosive Disposal Unit will use the drones.

Many public safety agencies in the US use drones, including law enforcement agencies in the Portland metro area and across the state. The Oregon State Police started a drone pilot program in 2018 to help other police departments locate suspects. State records show that on March 25, state police used a drone to help Portland police chase a homicide suspect. Drone Responders, a nonprofit that introduces first responders to drone technology, states that around 5,000 public safety agencies across the US use drones.

Police Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement that the Portland police department is looking for innovative ways to help them do their jobs more efficiently and effectively during this critical staffing period. Therefore, using drones will be an excellent way to assist them in the situations mentioned above. The Traffic Division and Metro Explosive Disposal Unit will operate the drones, and they cannot be used for activities such as mass surveillance, facial recognition, harassment, and crowd control, as it is against Oregon state laws.