Montgomery County Police Department’s drone program has launched more than 1,000 flights

On a typical night just north of Washington, a dozen drone flights silently ascend as part of a major policing trend sweeping across the country. And the agency behind it — the Montgomery County Police Department — plans to double its program in the next months.

“They’ve really made a difference for us,” County Executive Marc Elrich (D) said Wednesday night, speaking at a community meeting in Bethesda, the last area for coverage. “We’re excited to be expanding.”

There are thousands across the country public safety Agencies are using drones in one form or another, according to drone industry officials. Many do so after an incident is well underway. Montgomery’s program is designed to get his drones on the scene before responding ground forces by launching them during the first seconds of a 911 call.

The program, now nine months old, has become a national leader among about 50 programs using drones as “first responders” that are in development or operating in the United States, officials said. Montgomery’s two response drones are equipped with video cameras that can zoom in on what a person is holding and track their movements. Drone operators can also send the video feed to ground officers’ laptops, tablets or cellphones.

The department this month passed the 1,000-flight mark and says the technology has made it possible not only to catch criminals but also to quickly determine which calls don’t require police intervention, so cruiser units can be sent elsewhere and officers’ time isn’t wasted. “The name of the game is speed,” said Capt. Jason Cokinos, who oversees Montgomery’s drone response operations.

Below is a look at the program, expansion plans and civil rights concerns.