The Police Department in Vernon Hills is looking to join other departments, including Oak Brook and Gurnee, using automated drones to respond to incidents.
Police Chief Patrick Kreis told trustees during a board meeting that in the next two or three years the technology is “going to be as standard as light bars on squad cars,” adding, “we think it’s a significant enhancement of public safety.”
Police Commander Andrew Gillespie said they’re using a drone now.
It’s in a squad car, operated by an officer. It can be time-consuming. Not always useful.
He said an automated drone would be.
“What happens is the 911 call comes into the dispatch center, that information feeds into the drone software and a pilot can just click a button and it deploys the drone from wherever it's at and it automatically flies to the location."
The pilot then takes control.
Gillespie noted that other departments using them report that the drones beat officers to scenes about 80 percent of the time, giving police the ability to quickly asses a situation.
He also said that about 40 percent of the time, officers are not needed.
“This is your first responder that will get there the quickest,” said Mayor Thom Koch. “I can't help but think that would be an incredible help.”
Oak Brook Police earlier this year showed how a drone spotted a suspect hiding in bushes. Officers ran past him and were directed back by the drone operator.
The Vernon Hills Police Chief said the cost would be between $40,000 and $150,000 per year.
He said he would be getting back to the trustees with a proposal.