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Laredo police unveil state-funded drone program that can deliver Narcan, officials say
Summary
Laredo Police Department presented a new drone-as-first-responder program funded by a state grant that the department says will provide aerial surveillance, rapid response to priority calls and the capacity to deliver Narcan to suspected overdoses.
Laredo — The Laredo Police Department outlined a new state-funded drone program it says will act as a “drone as a first responder,” able to reach priority scenes, provide real-time surveillance and deploy life-saving Narcan, Assistant Chief Ricardo Gonzales told the Drug and Alcohol Commission on Thursday.
The department said the program is funded by a state grant and is part of a three-year plan that includes multiple “pods” (stationed launch sites), dedicated pilots and an integrated software system to share real-time video with patrol officers. “This is not just some kid flying out of a roof and trying to get information. This is a whole ecosystem,” Gonzales said.
Why it matters: Police representatives described the drones as a tool to speed emergency response in areas that are difficult for officers to reach quickly and to provide time-sensitive information that could de-escalate incidents or aid medical responders. Gonzales said the…
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