Pune Police Use Night-Vision Drones for Slum Surveillance and Criminal Tracking
The use of drones with thermal imaging by Pune Police for nighttime aerial combing operations represents a major advancement in the technology used by the city’s law enforcement.
The first operation, which targeted people with criminal records, was carried out in slum areas of Shivajinagar and Parvati between Friday night and Saturday. In a fraction of the time typically required, the police used drones to track the whereabouts of forty-three known offenders.
Six people with past records were checked after drones in Shivajinagar scanned the slums close to the train station. While Kondhwa police monitored the Bopdev Ghat area, Parvati police confirmed the existence of 37 such people in Janata Vasahat and the surrounding areas.
Drones, according to Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, will act as “force multipliers” by reducing labor costs and time while facilitating efficient surveillance of sizable events like processions and protests. In emergency situations, the control room can make decisions more quickly thanks to the drones’ real-time feeds.
The drones can fly 5 km horizontally, climb 500 meters vertically, and provide 360-degree views. They can stay in the air for up to an hour, zoom in on targets without lowering their altitude, and automatically return to base when their battery runs low.
The drones are operated by seven trained personnel who practice every day to become proficient in all systems. Suspects can be tracked at night in low-visibility areas, like hilly terrain, thanks to the devices’ thermal imaging capability.
The drones are currently launched from surveillance vehicles, but as operators gain more experience, they may be able to operate on their own. There are plans to purchase 12 more drones, including wired drones that can fly continuously for 12 hours. These will be used to control crowds at important occasions, like the approaching Ganeshotsav.
The program is in line with Maharashtra Police‘s broader use of drones, which are currently employed in operations in areas like Gadchiroli that are impacted by the Naxal. Pune’s most recent action is part of a larger trend to incorporate sophisticated aerial surveillance into urban policing.
CEO, Mavdrones
Pradipta V Mukherjee is the visionary CEO of Mavdrones & Drone Pathshala, driving innovation and growth in the drone industry. With a passion for advanced technology, he leads the company's strategic direction, ensuring Mavdrones stays at the forefront of drone solutions. Under his leadership, Mavdrones has achieved remarkable success, including winning the 'Best Innovation and Technology in Drone Industry' award from ASSOCHAM. Pradipta is committed to revolutionizing the industry through advanced UAV technology, fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within the organization.
