County unveils 'Robocop'-esque fleet of drone 'first-responders' to aid cops in real time

Nassau County unveiled a $1 million “Drone First Responder Program” to deploy a Robocop-like fleet of drones to support police in real time during emergency calls and major events. Announced Monday at the police training center in Uniondale, Long Island, the program will place 70 drones with a 40-man unit of FAA-certified officers across eight county locations. The drones can fly for about 30 minutes within a 2.5-mile radius, reach some scenes in under a minute, and hover at roughly 200 feet for close viewing, officials said. Equipped with infrared night vision and thermal cameras, they can provide live aerial footage and help assess active threats. County Executive Bruce Blakeman said the goal is to stay ahead to protect residents, while officials disputed privacy concerns after complaints in Smithtown and other communities about camera and plate-reading systems. Funding comes from asset forfeiture seized in criminal cases, and Nassau’s rollout follows Suffolk County’s $600,000 program launched last year.