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Police outline expanded cameras, drones and retooled bike patrols for downtown Laredo
Summary
Assistant Chief Ricardo Gonzales told the Downtown Laredo BID the department has expanded cameras feeding a real‑time crime center, added license-plate readers and a drone program, and reintroduced motorized bike patrols to allow flexible, strategic deployments; the board discussed parking automation, maintenance waivers and ways to coordinate private cameras with police.
Assistant Chief Ricardo Gonzales told the Downtown Laredo Business Improvement District at its Dec. 15 meeting that the police department has expanded surveillance and response tools for the city’s downtown.
Gonzales said cameras now feed a real‑time crime center that civilians monitor and that the city has added license‑plate readers and a drone program to get to scenes “even before an officer is able to get dispatch.” He described a retooled bike patrol using motorized bicycles and said patrols have moved from fixed beats to strategic deployments, enabling supervisors to surge up to 10 officers where activity warrants.
“Cameras, not only do they serve as a deterrent,…
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