Miami Beach police deploy drones to keep an eye on spring break crowds
MIAMI (WFLA) — Miami Beach police are taking to the skies to crack down on rowdy spring break crowds.
The new airborne first responder, the Skydio X10 drone, is the first of its kind in Florida, according to a report from NBC affiliate WTVJ.
Police said the drone can give them a bird's eye view of anywhere in the city within a minute of launching.
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'Provides data in real time so we can use data to make key decisions in the field for our police officers,' police chief Wayne Jones said.
The new drone is just one of the tools police use to keep an eye on things in their new 'Real Time Intelligence Center,' along with over 800 cameras mounted across the city. Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner said the city gives police 'the best technology' to respond to potential issues as thousands of spring breakers descend on South Florida.
'We are setting the tone of law and order. People are looking at us as to how to accomplish safety, reduce crime, crack down on spring break, and the timing is perfect as we approach spring break to roll out these initiatives,' Meiner said. 'My goal is to make Miami Beach the safest city in America and we're on our way.'
This comes as city leaders launched a campaign to announce they were 'breaking up with spring break' after years of chaos and violence during the season, which police have largely attributed to people from outside the area coming in to cause trouble.
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