Georgetown Police Department Proposes Drone Fleet for Enhanced Operations

Georgetown, Kentucky – The Georgetown Police Department is seeking city council approval for funding to acquire a new fleet of drones, aimed at serving as a “force multiplier” to enhance police operations. This initiative follows the recent implementation of body-worn cameras for officers, demonstrating the department’s commitment to leveraging technology.

Lieutenant Lewis Crump, who oversees the Drone Unit, explained the potential advantages of deploying drones. “We want to use this because we can get to calls faster, we can document stuff quicker, we can build better cases,” he stated during a presentation to city council on Monday.

The department plans to acquire drones from Brinc, specifically the Lemur S model, which is designed exclusively for law enforcement purposes. These drones will be equipped with advanced capabilities, including night vision and the ability to communicate directly with people on the ground. “This drone, I can talk to people through, I can see in the dark with it, I can break glass with it,” Crump highlighted.

The drones are versatile and can be utilized in various scenarios, such as negotiating during tense situations or searching for missing persons. Significant features include a “grabber” that can deliver essential items like life vests, AEDs, Narcan, EpiPens, and even bottles of water. “Not only can we deliver an EpiPen, but the pilot can tell the person on the other end how to administer the EpiPen if they don’t know,” Crump added.

Crump emphasized the importance of aerial reconnaissance, suggesting that a 500-foot view of a scene can serve as a de-escalation tool, improving safety for both the community and police personnel. “Why not give them an opportunity to look at the problem and see it themselves before they walk into it?” he remarked.

In an effort to foster transparency, the drones will feature identification markings and blue lights, allowing the public to track their operations in real-time. “If they see it flying in the air, then they can look on the website and see the flight path of that drone and what we were doing,” stated Crump.

However, the project comes with a significant financial consideration. The estimated cost of the drone fleet exceeds $300,000, with Brinc proposing a five-year contract at approximately $60,000 annually, after which the police department would retain ownership of the drones. “It’s kind of a no-brainer – it’s just expensive,” Crump noted.

While acknowledging the cost, Crump believes this technology can enhance police efficiency while maintaining the vital presence of uniformed officers. “This doesn’t replace cops in uniforms – we need them. It just makes them more efficient and makes the community safer,” he explained.

This initial presentation marks the beginning of a discussion on the drone proposal, with Crump planning to return to the city council in coming weeks to seek formal approval for the funding.