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APD drones to survey bosque following June fires
A photo of one of the drones that will survey the bosque. The Albuquerque Police Department is deploying drones after four fires in the area in June.
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Albuquerque police are deploying drones over the Rio Grande bosque in response to a series of recent fires.
The drones will allow the Albuquerque Police Department to monitor portions of the riverside forest in real-time, officials said Tuesday. The drones will detect any signs of smoke, heat signatures or suspicious activity from the skies.
“This is a game changer for our department,” APD Chief Harold Medina said during a news conference. “Drones are giving us eyes in the sky and allowing us to respond faster and smarter. They are now an essential tool in our crime-fighting and public safety toolbox.”
Drones will also allow APD to gather evidence, track patterns and deter illegal activity in the bosque area, according to a department news release.
After receiving alerts from the drone, Albuquerque Open Space officers will be dispatched to investigate the area. National Guard members will also assist APD in operating the drones and reviewing any video footage captured.
APD investigated four fires in the bosque last month, three of which were set on three consecutive days. Officials believe all four fires were “intentionally set,” according to the release.
One arrest was made, but the case was dismissed after a grand jury found a lack of probable cause.
APD said the drones are a chance for early intervention, allowing officers to get to the scene faster, prevent fires from spreading and investigate “ criminal activity before it escalates,” the department said.
