Sheriff's office expands technology use, doubles drone fleet
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office unveiling new drones to their fleet, making them one of the few offices in the state to use the technology.
We deeper into the costs, and whether or not the robotics are worth the rate.
The Sheriff hoping new drones can take the office to new heights but we looked into the purchase from every angle to see it if it was money well spent.
With the announcement of two new recruits the Bexar County Sheriff's Office doubled their drone fleet.
Sheriff Salazar said it’s all in an effort to keep officers safe.
"Anytime you can use technology to gain the tactical advantage it's going to help you," said Salazar. "It’s going to help you save lives it’s going to help safeguard your officers, It's infinitely valuable for just that purpose.”
The drones have thermal imaging to help them keep an eye on things, their cameras also have 30 times zoom, that’s a range of 5 to 7 miles.
The cost of the whole department?
73-thousand five hundred dollars of asset forfeiture funds that paid for equipment, licensing, and training of the pilots, both of which are current detectives.
"These two detectives have actually undergone some pretty extensive training through the FAA to become licensed pilots.” Salazar said.
Detective Trace Shannon has already put his training to use.
"I was actually the tactical operator of the commercial drone in the standoff in Ashfield." Shannon said.
And explains the advantages of flying a drone instead of buying a bigger bird.
"You can get closer to the scene number one, number two when those big birds can't get up and the ceiling won't allow them we can use the drones in their place." Shannon said.
An advantage they offer to share with other units.
"Certainly, anybody in this area surrounding counties smaller municipalities within, San Antonio Police department if they need these tools all they need to do is call us." Salazar said.
