Albuquerque police launch drone program to help fight crime across city

Albuquerque residents might notice a new form of crime-fighting technology — and this one is taking to the skies.

Albuquerque Police Department officials on Thursday unveiled what they say is one of their latest initiatives to increase public safety: drones.

In a news conference, officials detailed the new program, which began in August. The 10 drones, which cost $17,000 each, are being used to aid officers on the streets.

APD has used drones in the past, specifically to surveil the bosque during a spate of man-made fires in the area, but Chief Harold Medina said these drones will be used solely to tackle crime.

Mayor Tim Keller said the drones will provide additional coverage after years of APD being unable to reach its goal of officer recruits.

“The drones are the last piece in the technology puzzle,” Keller said, adding that ShotSpotter — gunfire detection devices — and license plate readers were the other pieces.

In the future, Medina said ShotSpotter and drones will work hand-in-hand, with every gunshot detection receiving a drone response in 90 seconds. Keller added that, while he is not a “huge fan of drones,” they are a faster response and can read license plates and track suspects from crime scenes. Drones will be operated by certified Federal Aviation Administration pilots from remote locations.

Six “hives” — the drones’ housing locations and launching spots — have been placed throughout the city. APD said almost the entirety of the city will have drone coverage.

APD would not answer any questions relating to the location of the hives or say what parts of Albuquerque will have a gap in drone coverage.

“The more individuals sense and know that there is accountability in the area, and they could be watched by a drone, the more it will make them think twice about committing crime in the city,” Medina said.

The drones are equipped with thermal cameras that can read a license plate from 800 feet away, provide a live video feed so officers can respond to situations in real time and can fly 45 mph up to 8 miles from their hive. Deputy Chief J.J. Griego said the drones will be able to operate for roughly 40 minutes at a time.

Since launching the program, APD has successfully completed 202 drone flights. The drones have contributed to four arrests to date, Griego said.

In a case highlighted Thursday, Medina said “without a doubt” that officers would have lost the suspect’s location if not for the drones.

On Sept. 11, officers were dispatched to Pat Hurley Park after a woman said a man had pointed a rifle at her in a robbery attempt, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. The suspect outran arriving officers and a drone was launched to keep track of him.

Drone footage showed the man — later identified as Cesar Hernandez — leaping through backyards and removing his red sweatshirt. At one point, the drone footage showed the 21-year-old man walking through a neighborhood.

Officers used the drone to track Hernandez until they arrested him. He was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and fleeing from police.

“The real-time updates the drone is able to give us were key,” Medina said.