Page 504 - FY 2025 Adopted Operating Budget and Business Plan

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Public Safety

Goal 1: Utilize Targeted Initiatives and Industry Best Practices and Policies to Foster a Safe
Environment
Objective 1: Improve Quality of Life and Place
Project Performance Measure(s) Department(s)
Core APD Aviation Unit • Operational Flight Hours Police
PS • Logged Missions
1.1.5 • Apprehensions
Summary:
4th Quarter Drone Apprehensions
The Arlington Police Department’s Aviation Unit uses 50
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to provide information
to responding officers during many police calls for service 40
including:
1. Parades 30
2. Special Events
3. Foot Pursuits 20
4. High-Risk Warrants
5. Crime Scenes 10
6. Emergency Calls
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7. Silver/Amber Alerts
8. Barricaded Persons/Hostage Situations July Aug. Sept.
9. Community Events
4th Quarter Drone Flight Hours
The technology and regulatory environment surrounding
UAS continues to improve and evolve to the point where 120
UAS can assist on many additional calls for service. Future
capabilities of flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) 100
will greatly expand the capacity of the Aviation Unit to 80
support most calls for service.
60
The Aviation Unit assists with special projects across the 40
city and region regarding the topic of UAS. In 2021, the
unit assisted the Office of Strategic Initiatives and NCTCOG 20
with the Hidden Level Pilot Project.
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July Aug. Sept.
In 2024, the Aviation Unit plans to build on the success of
2023 through greater implementation and realization of
the Drone as a First Responder (DFR) project that will be 4th Quarter Pilot Entries
installed in late FY 2023.
250
Update: 200
APD currently has two UAS dock systems installed, located
at Ott Cribbs and the Esports Stadium. APD is awaiting final 150
FAA approvals to operate, which will significantly enhance
our response capabilities, including Beyond Visual Line of 100
Sight (BVLOS) operations. Discussions are underway
regarding staffing options, with plans to integrate full-time 50
UAS pilots in the near future.
-
July Aug. Sept.

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