In 1984, Eric Adams graduated from the New York City Police Academy, influenced by a tragic event during his teenage years to become a force of positive change within law enforcement. He then spent 22 years working in various capacities within the New York City Police Department. In 2006, after achieving the rank of captain, Eric retired and began a career in politics. In 2022, he became the 110th mayor of New York City. In this role, Mayor Adams has continued to strive to impart positive changes for the city. As a self-proclaimed technology geek, Mayor Adams has made several changes to the city that promote the use of technological advancements, particularly drones.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) first began using drones in 2018 under former Mayor Bill de Blasio. However, the drone program was used sparsely as city officials took their time to learn and adjust to the new technology. At first, there was a lot of concern from residents and community spokespersons about how drones would be used regarding the privacy and safety of New York residents. Once Mayor Adams took office, the drone program quickly expanded as concerns were alleviated.

In 2023, several city records reveal multiple purchases for drones, drone-related accessories, and training programs for the NYPD. Two of these purchases included an $87,747 bill on June 6, 2023, for a fleet of drones and, on July 11, 2023, a $95,000 bill for drones and vehicles. The drones purchased were from Seattle, Washington-based drone company Brinc. Brinc’s founder and CEO, Blake Resnik, revealed that the NYPD purchased fewer than 10 of the company’s Lemur 2 drones, which were specifically designed with law enforcement in mind.

“Our mission at BRINC is to revolutionize public safety by leveraging technology to de-escalate dangerous situations. Each drone deployed to a dangerous situation is one less individual in harm’s way and a potential life saved,” Blake explained. “The LEMUR 2 is the next era of first-response technology that will undoubtedly make law enforcement and emergency services in our country more efficient and safer for all involved.” The drone weighs only 3.3 lbs and measures 4″ in height, 16″ in width, and 13″ in length. They are easy to control with manual and autonomous capabilities. The small drones are equipped with a range of sensors and accessories that make them ideal tools for law enforcement and emergency services.

This past year, Mayor Adams has ensured that the NYPD’s drone investments are put to good use. The drones are being used to investigate motor vehicle accidents, monitor large gatherings, and serve as futuristic lifeguards along New York’s busy beaches. As meteorologists predicted heavy rainfall from Hurricane Debby, Mayor Adams found yet another way to use the city’s fleet of drones to benefit residents. In 2021, 11 people in New York died from flooding caused by Hurricane Ida. For Mayor Adams and the city’s emergency planners, it was clear that they needed a better way to inform residents about safety measures.

Current and previous warning methods relied on messages posted to social media accounts, local news broadcasts, and community bulletins. But as Mayor Adams said in a press conference on August 6, 2024, “You know, we live in a bubble, and we have to meet people where they are in notifications so they can be prepared.” His solution for meeting people where they are was to send drones over communities prone to flooding that would broadcast emergency warnings.

Several drones were flown over flood-prone neighborhoods in Staten Island, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens throughout the day on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. The drones, equipped with loudspeakers, relayed the following message: “Heavy rainfall and flooding will take place until Wednesday morning. If you live in a basement or ground-floor apartment, be prepared to leave your location if flooding occurs. Do not hesitate. Heavy rainfall and flooding will take place until Wednesday morning. Call 911 for emergencies.”

The message was relayed in both English and Spanish. Although the computer-generated Spanish recording sounded a bit off, residents were grateful for the warning system. Gone are the days when New York City residents were suspicious of drones being used by the NYPD. “To safeguard our modern city in a forward-looking world,” said a representative of the NYPD, “it is essential to explore ways technology can support the NYPD’s mission.” Under Mayor Adams’s direction, New York City has seen the positive changes drones can bring.

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