The Montgomery County Police Department and county officials will host a community conversation about the expansion of MCPD’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) program to Germantown.
The town hall will take place on Thursday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Upcounty Regional Services Center (12900 Middlebrook Rd, Germantown). Per MCPD, “the event will feature insights on how DFR technology is enhancing public safety response across Montgomery County, with remarks from Captain Nicholas Picerno of the Special Operations Division alongside Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Marilyn Balcombe.”
The Drone as First Responder Program, launched in November 2023, is currently operational in the 3rd District (downtown Silver Spring), 4th District (Wheaton/Glenmont), 6th District (Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village) and 2nd District (Bethesda).
Last year, before its first 500 flights were completed, MCPD shared that the average response time was 60 seconds, the drone was first on the scene in 71% of DFR calls, 157 suspects/subjects were located, and the program assisted with apprehensions of auto theft and theft from auto, assaults, shoplifting, weapons, and more.