National City residents may begin to see drones policing their neighborhoods along with the National City Police Department (NCPD).
The city will launch their UAVs Quadcopter Program, more commonly known as a drone program, Thursday in partnership with the National City Fire Department.
Four NCPD officers and one NCFD firefighter have obtained FAA licensed and trained to operate the drones within city limits.
The goal of the program is to use drones to observe police operations from above, NCPD said.
NCPD Chief Manuel Rodriguez touted the program as an advancement in public safety.
The department says it's a less obtrusive and safer way to patrol the community.
The drones' use will be "mission-oriented," NCPD said, meaning they will not be used in routine patrol but instead when police are responding to 911 calls.
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The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) implemented a similar program in their department in 2017.
