Allan Appel Photo
Asst. Chief Jacobson: FAA’s in the way.
For those who hoped the cops might dispatch drones as a secret weapon against dirt bikers plaguing streets of New Haven, don’t hold your breath.
The idea is pretty much off the table.
That strategic direction in dealing with brazen dirt-bike mayhem — which as recently as Sunday resulted in nine arrests and seven bike confiscations — emerged at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Police Commission at NHPD headquarters on Union Avenue.
It was the first commissioners’ meeting at which Chief Otoniel Reyes appeared after his swearing-in on Monday.
Commissioner Greg Smith raised the drone idea, which officers previously floated at a public meeting as one of numerous parts of a proposed dirt-bike strategy. (The drone suggestion became a mayoral campaign issue this year.)
“I think it’s a good idea. Are we still considering them?” Smith asked.
“We talked to the drone companies,” replied Asst. Chief Karl Jacobson, “and they don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Commissioner Greg Smith: Good idea.
Smith asked why.
“There are many no-fly zones,” Jacobson said — areas where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doesn’t permit drones to be flown, even for police purposes.
Is that because of the wires? asked one of the commissioners.
No, in the case of Whalley, replied Chief Reyes. The no-fly rule there is because of the proximity of the state correctional facility.
Chief Reyes with Asst. Chief Herb Sharp atcommission meeting.
“So we would not be using drones on Whalley, Reyes said. If officers were using drones to monitor hazardous dirt-bikers, the use would need to be suspended as the bikers tore down Whalley. Which wouldn’t be practical.
“So we’re letting the FAA dictate what we do?” queried Commissioner Stephen Garcia.
We’re just not pursuing it as a prime strategy, Reyes replied. “We’d have to utilize drones only in restricted areas,” as other areas would be disallowed by the FAA, he added.
Asst. Chief Jacobson, who has been leading the police effort to address the dirt-bike problem, has said at publicly detailed other suggested approaches, including well-advertised fines for bike dealers and gas stations.
He was asked if drone use is now off the table.
“More off the table than not,” he replied.