Clermont police looking to expand drone program
The department first launched its two American-made drones last year after years of training and delays due to changing regulations, including a ban on the more cost-effective Chinese-made drones.
Their first success was a search-and-rescue where someone had broken their leg. They've since tracked down burglars and bike thieves, watched over standoffs and assessed hurricane damage.
One of the six pilots analyzed his flights and found that a third of all his launches resulted in a major contribution toward the case's resolution, according to a late-April report to commanders.
'It's changing the game,' said pilot and detective Jonathan Mangual.
Mangual showed off the capabilities of his drone, which included the ability to exceed 30 mph, maneuver around objects on its own and give voice commands, which other officers jokingly described as something out of a 'Robocop' scene.
The department made sure the chosen pilots were spread out geographically and on different shifts so that the drones would always be available to fly.
'It's been really, really effective,' Capt. Malcom Draper said. 'We're doing our homework. We know we're doing our research. We're trying to look at these advances of technology, and we're trying to utilize them.'
Mangual also talked about where drones could help the department in the future. He described scenarios of drones launching from the police department's roof to analyze scenes remotely before officers arrive, and – in the more immediate future – using indoor drones in tense situations like standoffs or potential ambushes so officers aren't put in harm's way.
'I think every department should get one, just for officer safety,' Mangual said. 'If we could get to someone and get to the scene first and get that feedback to officers, it's going to definitely change the game.'
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
14 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Mexico expels 26 cartel figures wanted by US authorities in deal with Trump administration
WASHINGTON — Mexico has expelled 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States in the latest major deal with the Trump administration as American authorities ratchet up pressure on criminal networks sending drugs across the border, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The cartel leaders and other prominent figures were being flown from Mexico to the U.S. on Tuesday, the person said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the operation that was still ongoing. Those being handed over to U.S. custody include Abigael González Valencia, a leader of 'Los Cuinis,' a group closely aligned with notorious cartel Jalisco New Generation or CJNG. Another person, Roberto Salazar, is accused of participating in the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, the person said. Mexico's Attorney General's Office and Security ministry confirmed the transfers, which were carried out after a promise from the U.S. Justice Department that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty in any of the cases. It's the second time in months Mexico has expelled cartel figures accused of narcotics smuggling, murder and other crimes amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration to curb the flow of drugs across the border. In February, Mexico handed over to American authorities 29 cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985. Those transfers came days before 25% tariffs on Mexican imports were to take effect. Late last month, President Donald Trump spoke with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and agreed to put off threatened 30% tariffs for another 90 days to allow for negotiations. Sheinbaum has shown a willingness to cooperate more on security than her predecessor, specifically being more aggressive in pursuit of Mexico's cartels. But she has drawn a clear line when it comes to Mexico's sovereignty, rejecting suggestions by Trump and others of intervention by the U.S. military. The Trump administration made dismantling dangerous drug cartels a key priority, designating CJNG and seven other Latin American organized crime groups foreign terrorist organizations. Abigael González Valencia is the brother-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, a top target of the the U.S. government. He was arrested in February 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and had been fighting extradition to the United States since then. Alongside his two brothers, he led 'Los Cuinis,' which financed the the founding and growth of the CJNG, one of the most powerful and dangerous cartels in Mexico. CJNG traffics hundreds of tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States and other countries and is known for extreme violence, murders, torture, and corruption. One of his brothers, José González Valencia, was sentenced in Washington's federal court in June to 30 years in a U.S. prison after pleading guilty to international cocaine trafficking. Jose González Valencia was arrested in 2017 under the first Trump administration at a beach resort in Brazil while vacationing with his family under a fake name.
The Hill
44 minutes ago
- The Hill
Mexico expels 26 cartel figures wanted by US authorities in deal with Trump administration
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mexico has expelled 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States in the latest major deal with the Trump administration as American authorities ratchet up pressure on criminal networks sending drugs across the border, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The cartel leaders and other prominent figures were being flown from Mexico to the U.S. on Tuesday, the person said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the operation that was still ongoing. Those being handed over to U.S. custody include Abigael González Valencia, a leader of 'Los Cuinis,' a group closely aligned with notorious cartel Jalisco New Generation or CJNG. Another person, Roberto Salazar, is accused of participating in the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, the person said. Mexico's Attorney General's Office and Security ministry confirmed the transfers, which were carried out after a promise from the U.S. Justice Department that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty in any of the cases. It's the second time in months Mexico has expelled cartel figures accused of narcotics smuggling, murder and other crimes amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration to curb the flow of drugs across the border. In February, Mexico handed over to American authorities 29 cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985. Those transfers came days before 25% tariffs on Mexican imports were to take effect. Late last month, President Donald Trump spoke with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and agreed to put off threatened 30% tariffs for another 90 days to allow for negotiations. Sheinbaum has shown a willingness to cooperate more on security than her predecessor, specifically being more aggressive in pursuit of Mexico's cartels. But she has drawn a clear line when it comes to Mexico's sovereignty, rejecting suggestions by Trump and others of intervention by the U.S. military. The Trump administration made dismantling dangerous drug cartels a key priority, designating CJNG and seven other Latin American organized crime groups foreign terrorist organizations. Abigael González Valencia is the brother-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, a top target of the the U.S. government. He was arrested in February 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and had been fighting extradition to the United States since then. Alongside his two brothers, he led 'Los Cuinis,' which financed the the founding and growth of the CJNG, one of the most powerful and dangerous cartels in Mexico. CJNG traffics hundreds of tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States and other countries and is known for extreme violence, murders, torture, and corruption. One of his brothers, José González Valencia, was sentenced in Washington's federal court in June to 30 years in a U.S. prison after pleading guilty to international cocaine trafficking. Jose González Valencia was arrested in 2017 under the first Trump administration at a beach resort in Brazil while vacationing with his family under a fake name.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Trump Administration Makes New Deal With Mexico
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mexico is transferring 26 high-ranking cartel members to U.S. custody in a sweeping operation coordinated with the Trump administration, as American authorities intensify pressure on criminal networks fueling the cross-border drug trade, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The cartel leaders and other prominent figures were being flown from Mexico to the United States on Tuesday, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the operation was still underway. Among them is Abigael González Valencia, a top leader of "Los Cuinis," a group closely allied with the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Also on the list is Roberto Salazar, accused in the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy. Mexico's Attorney General's Office and Security Ministry confirmed the transfers, noting they were carried out after the U.S. Justice Department assured Mexican authorities it would not seek the death penalty in any of the cases. This marks the second mass transfer of cartel suspects in recent months. In February, Mexico turned over 29 cartel figures to U.S. authorities, including notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, wanted for the 1985 killing of a U.S. DEA agent. The latest move underscores tightening U.S.-Mexico cooperation against organized crime and reflects growing pressure from Washington to stem the flow of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other illicit drugs into the United States. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
