The sky over Las Vegas has new watchers — drones deployed by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, designed to respond faster than officers on the ground and provide critical aerial intelligence. According to FOX5 Vegas, this advanced Mobile Drone First Responder Unit has recently taken to the field.
Launched earlier this month, the unit leverages drones to assist with high-profile incidents such as active assaults and burglaries. These flying machines offer "significant tactical advantage" to the police force, explained Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Drone Program Manager, Steven Oscar, to FOX5 Vegas. They are not, he emphasized, for random surveillance — only being launched when assigned to a call and, having been fitted into specially-outfitted vehicles, the drones can rush to crime scenes, providing real-time intelligence to officers en route.
The effectiveness of this unit will be evaluated through deployment frequency, the quickness of drone arrival on scenes compared to officers, and the value of intelligence it provides, noted Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has a fleet of over 30 certified drone pilots and has carried out more than 8,000 flights, potentially setting a precedent for drone use in law enforcement across the county.
Though the drones come with limitations like weather sensitivity and legal restrictions around private property and restricted air spaces, such as near Nellis Airforce Base or Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says it has successfully negotiated more freedom of movement with the FAA than other commercial and pilot drone operators in the Las Vegas Valley. This expanded access underscores the department's pioneering role in integrating drone technology for public safety applications, as Steven Oscar told News 3 Las Vegas.
Different drone models in Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's arsenal offer a range of capabilities, including the Skyfront Perimeter 8 used for search and rescue, and the Teledyne FLIR SkyRanger R70, which can be tethered and powered for prolonged use at special events. The SWAT team wields the Brinc Lemur 2 drone, capable of opening doors and facilitating negotiations via a two-way communication system. The commonly used Skydio X10, reports News 3 Las Vegas, is equipped with red and blue lights to ensure visibility during nighttime operations.
The program also harnesses the skills of civilian pilots like Thanh Huynh, who brought a decade of Air Force experience to the team. Alongside certified officers, these civilian members translate their extensive expertise to the field of public safety drones, adding a pivotal component to the unit's operations. Despite the program's infancy, regular calls demonstrate its emerging essential role in law enforcement's toolkit for maintaining public safety in the fast-evolving terrains of Las Vegas.
