Highland Park Police Want To Buy Drone

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Highland Park police want a drone to help first responders during search and rescue and missing person operations. Drones can also be used for emergency supply drops, thermal imaging and "identifying hazards in exigent circumstances," Chief Lou Jogmen said in a memo to the City Council.

Jogmen recommended the city gets quotes to purchase a single drone, certify four officers to operate it and put a policy in place restricting its use for public safety purposes. He said the department has conducted research nationally and reviewed current policies and procedures of nearby police agencies.

The use of a drone can save up to $1,000 per hour of operating expenses compared to a manned aircraft, according to Jogmen. He used examples of searches along the lake in severe weather conditions, in areas inaccessible by foot and the ability of some drones to drop flotation devices.

Buying a drone, Jogmen said, would "significantly increase the capabilities" of rescuers looking for missing people, and its support features would help resolve incidents faster.

The City Council will consider the police department's request at its Nov. 13 committee of the whole meeting.

In Illinois, the Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act regulates how law enforcement agencies may use unmanned aerial vehicles. It allows their use for crime scene and traffic crash reconstruction, to search for missing people, amid possible disasters or public health emergencies, in case of imminent harm or escape, when there is a high risk of terrorism or with a warrant.

State lawmakers are pursuing another warrantless exemption that could apply to Highland Park. Under a version of the bill that passed the House, any crowd estimated to be 1,500 or greater could be monitored by law enforcement drones – as long as they are not equipped with facial recognition, tear gas, stun guns, firearms, weapons or other projectiles. Law enforcement agencies must also have a written policy regarding drone usage and make annual reports of how often they use the devices.

The drone itself was tentatively estimated at between $20,000 and $24,000, according to Jogmen's memo. Last year, Northbrook budgeted $30,000 for the purchase of a pair of drones.

Read More: Police Surveillance Drones At Protests Approved By Illinois House