Miami Beach Police will use drones, real-time intelligence center during spring break
Miami Beach officials are anticipating a busy spring break season, with thousands of people expected to visit the city. To help keep residents and visitors alike safe, police are going high tech.
On Monday, Miami Beach Police unveiled their new Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) and launch of the Skydio's Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program. The department is the first agency in the state, one of only five departments nationwide, to implement Sykdio's DFR program.
According to police, the center and drone program will allow them to monitor and respond to incidents quicker, particularly during the high-impact spring break weekends through March.
"Miami Beach is at the forefront of pioneering technology to revolutionize public safety," Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner said in a statement.
"The Real Time Intelligence Center and Drone as a First Responder Program equip our police department with exceptional tools, ensuring swift and decisive action to protect our community."
"Certainly during the peak hours where we show we that have the most crimes and the most arrests, so that's when we use it, but our arrests have been down during spring break," Meiner said.
Miami Beach police will be able to make data-driven decisions
The $2 million RTIC will serve as the central hub for the police department's advanced observation, analytics, detection, and intelligence operations, authorities said.
Multiple sources will be feeding data into the center in real time. According to police, the RTIC integrates approximately 850 cameras, providing over 1,600 views across Miami Beach. The center will also monitor 30 license plate readers, which will identify vehicles associated with criminal activity, and the RADII Marine Radar system which provides live monitoring of maritime activity.
The intelligence center will also monitor for threats or public safety concerns on social media.
"Our city is establishing a benchmark for law enforcement agencies throughout the nation; illustrating how technology can be effectively utilized to enhance public safety while ensuring transparency and accountability," Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne A. Jones said in a statement.
"I'm proud to say we have the largest number of cameras of any municipality in the state of Florida," Jones added.
Springbreakers, residents speak out
Marc Trusiak and his Arizona State friends are spring breaking in South Beach for the week.
"I've always heard Miami's the fun place to be," said Johsua Azad, a springbreaker.
Trusiak and his friends will get reminders of restrictions when they walk on the beach.
"Yeah, there's not a huge crowd of spring breakers here today," Trusiak said.
"I thought it was going to be cheaper than going to Cabo," said Emma Ngo, a springbreaker.
"I'm sure it convinced people not to come here and to go somewhere else. But still, it's Miami and there's like not much you can beat here," Trusiak said.
Darren Fords has lived in Miami Beach for 18 years. He's glad spring break has slowed down and he says the center and the cameras are another deterrent to keep bad behavior out of here.
"With all these cameras, it's going to make it hard for someone to do something and not be seen," Fords said.
Eyes in the sky
The Miami Beach Police Department said it is the first agency in Miami-Dade County to receive a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Waiver, allowing for drone operations beyond the direct line of sight of an operator.
The Skydio X10 drone is a quadcopter designed for law enforcement applications. Operated directly from the RTIC, these drones will give officers "real time situational awareness" to any public safety issue.
