Lewiston Police Department looking into tech to help get ahead of potential problems

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

Lewiston Police Department Chief Michael Salada is researching technology designed to provide officers a faster, safer look into potentially problematic situations.

“One of the vendors that we work with, with some of our equipment, is offering an opportunity to demo some new technology. It’s called Drone as First Responder. It’s where we’re able to remotely launch a drone into an area to get an overview of what’s going on before officers are going to arrive,” he told the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees at Tuesday’s monthly meeting.

“The plan would be to utilize that during the summer months, during our festivals, and our concert season. It’s an opportunity to demo it, see how it works, free of charge to our department. What they’re looking for is a nice, municipality building with a flat roof.”

Such a site – like the Red Brick Municipal Building on South Fourth Street – would offer “an opportunity for us to try the technology.”

Last October, Flock Safety announced its Flock Alpha, a drone it stated is National Defense Authorization Act-approved, made in the U.S., and, “equipped with 4 cellular modems,” it “provides extended range and reliable coverage across an agency’s jurisdiction.”

“Alpha is purpose-built for emergency situations and public safety, combining rapid response capabilities with extended flight endurance and advanced cameras capable of reading a vehicle license plate from 2,000 feet away,” Flock Safety’s press release noted. “Able to reach up to 60 MPH speeds, Alpha is the fastest drone built for DFR (Drone as First Responder) operations. It boasts the longest flight time of any DFR quadcopter drone, and can be ready to fly again in less than 90 seconds with its dual battery-swapping and contact-charging dock.”

Salada said the drone system could be used at events including the Northwest Jazz Festival and Niagara County Peach Festival.

Deputy Mayor Vic Eydt inquired about public response.

“We had a man-controlled drone up during many of the festivals last year, and usually they’re high enough people don’t even realize it,” Salada said. “We had a few opportunities during the Jazz Fest where situations were happening, and getting officers there takes a few minutes. This would get us something overhead that we can view within 10-15 seconds.”

Eydt also asked about using grant money to purchase a drone.

“That would be the goal,” Salada said. “If we like the technology, we have a grant for it in; and if we’re awarded it, we would continue it.”

Salada said the drone would take up minimal space on the Red Brick roof – “it’s a small device” – and “it’s covered. It automatically opens, and then it launches it.

“We would control it from a computer or a cell phone, to be able to see the video. You could have somebody in the tower (on festival grounds) who is able to get that over there.

“Some of the bigger cities are actually using it for actual calls. This would be more for our festival and busy season.”

The Town of Lewiston and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office already partner with Flock Safety for vehicle-monitoring cameras.

Salada previously said these cameras are not used to track speed, but rather to help the LPD with investigations.

The Lewiston Police Department is looking into adding a Flock Safety drone to help with public safety at festivals and concert events. (Image courtesy of Flock Safety)

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Festival dates approval

Speaking of festivals, village trustees approved the following event dates:

√ Smelt Festival – May 22

√ Northwest Jazz Festival – Aug. 28-29

√ Harvest & Hops Festival – Sept. 26-27

√ Lewiston Christmas Walk – Dec. 5-6 and Lewiston Lights Parade – Dec. 6