GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — The Grand Rapids Police Department is getting its new drone program off the ground, after the Grand Rapids City Commission approved funding for it in August.
It's been about a month since the department started using the drones, which the unit commander says they've already deployed in 50 missions.
"We've had several instances where the drones have actually assisted in apprehending a couple felon arrests," Captain David Siver said.
He confirmed they used the drones to get forensic value around My Place Bar after a recent uptick in violence in that area.
"That night, they flew a flight pattern for the investigators, and then in the morning, they came back and also recreated it for a mapping feature," Captain Siver said.
While the program is going well, he acknowledges the concerns the public had over surveillance and privacy.
"They obviously didn't want a weaponization of the drones, facial recognition or AI type stuff, which we don't have. No plans to have that," Captain Siver said.
He says the goal is to help the community. It's not just about solving crime; It's also bolstering safety for some of the larger downtown events.
"So, some of our larger special events like, you know, the River Bank Run," Captain Siver said. "These devices just provide a really unique perspective for the chiefs and some of the commanders to manpower decisions."
Those manpower decisions can help them mitigate staffing shortages police departments are seeing nationwide.
"Everybody's got limited assets," Captain Siver said. "If we know that we don't have to have officers at that point, right? It can be barricaded, or whatever, that that's a huge win for us."
While the program is just getting started, he has plans for more ways to use them to keep Grand Rapids safe.
"As we get into spring flooding, and some of those issues that we always have, these devices just give a, you know, that bird's eye view that we didn't have before," Captain Siver said.
The City's Office of Oversight and Public Accountability (OPA) will review the drone program every quarter with reports provided by GRPD.
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