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Fitchburg police propose real‑time information center using Peregrine, FUSIS and docked drones
Summary
Police leaders proposed a proof of concept that would combine Peregrine data unification, FUSIS real‑time situational awareness and a docked drone (DFR) program to increase efficiency and partly offset officer shortfalls; estimated operating cost about $150,000 per year, with private fundraising and grants discussed.
Captain Drew McCarthy and police leadership presented a proposed proof of concept for a real‑time information center that would unify multiple technologies—Peregrine for data unification, FUSIS for live situational awareness, and a docked drone response (DFR) program—to give supervisors and officers immediate, consolidated information when a call comes in.
McCarthy said Fitchburg is short roughly 12 officers (about 20% below a 1.8-officer-per-1,000-resident benchmark) and that the technology is intended as a force‑multiplier, not a replacement for officers. “In today’s terms, in 2026, we are short 12 officers, which is roughly 20% from where we should be,” he said. He described Peregrine as a “Google for law enforcement” that unifies CAD, RMS, digital evidence and other data so staff can create dashboards and pull investigative material more quickly.
The presentation laid out expected deliverables, a phased timeline (Peregrine trial immediately for six months, FUSIS and DFR targeted for January 2027), vendor contract terms, audit and transparency measures, and potential funding strategies including private foundation fundraising and federal COPS grants. The police foundation has been fundraising to underwrite initial years of operation.
