Reno’s Eye In The Sky Gets Sharper
Infrared technology added to the Reno, Nev., police’s Regional Aviation Enforcement Unit through a $400,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security has greatly improved the department’s ability to detect fleeing criminals and victims in need of rescue.
The technology, which can detect hot objects or body heat even in the dark, has found novel uses such as an early-warning system for firefighters looking for safer locations in a burning building.
The combination of infrared searching ability with the aviation unit’s helicopters allows for more effective pursuit of criminal suspects. Suspects being pursued by a helicopter are more likely to surrender, and the aircraft’s spotlights help break up covert illegal activity.
“[The technology] really increases our ability to work at night and respond to critical incidents,” notes Reno police officer Scott Armitage. And Sheriff Dennis Balaam says the equipment, in conjunction with global positioning systems, allows for more effective patrolling of areas where homeland security risks are more pronounced.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Reno Gazette-Journal (03/02/05) P. 1A; O’Malley, Jaclyn.
