SPARKS, Nev. (KOLO) – In the evening of Thursday, June 25, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Drone as First Responder pilots used RapidSOS live 911 monitoring to launch one of its unmanned aerial vehicles/drones after a report of a suspicious vehicle in Sparks, according to an agency Facebook post.
Within minutes, the drone was airborne and over the reported location.
Drone pilots quickly located the vehicle and relayed real-time information to responding deputies, who found the suspect and assessed the situation, according to the Friday, June 26, post.
The investigation is ongoing.
This response is one of many examples of how emerging technology is helping the sheriff’s office respond faster, improve situational awareness, and provide deputies with real-time information as they respond to incidents.
“Our goal has always been to protect our community and ensure the safety of Washoe County,” said Sheriff Darin Balaam. “Every call for service is different, but every call benefits from timely and accurate information.”
Every minute matters when someone calls 911. Programs like Drone as First Responder with RapidSOS live 911 monitoring help the sheriff’s office deliver faster, safer, and more informed responses, the post said.
“By incorporating advanced technologies into our daily operations, we can respond more efficiently and effectively when our community needs us most,“ Balaam said. “These tools improve response times, enhance situational awareness, and give our deputies the critical information they need to make informed decisions that help keep both our residents and our deputies safe.”
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