Palm Springs Police Use High-Tech Tools To Locate Missing Woman In Distress

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Palm Springs police used automated license plate readers, surveillance cameras and a drone to locate a missing woman experiencing a medical emergency, helping reunite her with her family in about 30 minutes, the agency announced on Thursday.

The woman was reported missing while in her vehicle and experiencing an unspecified medical condition, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

Personnel at the department's Real Time Intelligent Center, a public safety and surveillance hub, used automated license plate readers and a network of closed-circuit television cameras to identify the woman’s vehicle, track its movements and determine its last known location, police said.

Officers then deployed a police drone known as Halo 2 to locate the vehicle and guide responding officers to the area.

When officers reached the woman, she requested medical assistance. Police helped her reunite with her family. Her identity was not released.

The department credited the coordinated efforts of patrol officers, crime analysts and the Real Time Intelligent Center with resolving the incident in approximately 30 minutes.

Police said the technology helped avoid an extensive search and made more efficient use of department resources.