Connecticut Police Testing Drones to Detect COVID-19 and Identify Social Distancing

WESTPORT, Connecticut -- The Westport Police Department announced this week that it is testing state of the art technology to help detect COVID-19 symptoms and identify social distancing.

Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Captain Ryan Paulsson, head of the department’s drone program, are testing new drone technology in the “Flatten the Curve Pilot Program” to combat the spread of the Coronavirus, according to a news release.

The department is partnering with Draganfly, a leading drone company, as first responders are looking for effective ways to monitor social distancing, ease the spread of COVID-19 and keep their communities and personnel safe.

"The 'Flatten the Curve Pilot Program' and associated technology may prove to be an innovative tool in helping the community practice safe social distancing, while identifying possible coronavirus and other life-threatening symptoms," Westport Police Department officials said in a statement.

One of the major problems managing and responding to a pandemic is determining how wide the disease has spread and protecting first responders. According to Koskinas: “Using drones remains a go-to technology for reaching remote areas with little to no manpower required. Because of this technology, our officers will have the information and quality data they need to make the best decision in any given situation.”

The drone software uses biometric readings to understand population patterns and allows quicker reaction time to ongoing events or potential health threats. The goal is to provide better health monitoring support for potential at-risk groups, including seniors, as well as for gathering crowds at beaches, train stations, parks and recreation areas, and shopping centers. It will not be used in individual private yards, nor does it employ facial recognition technology.

“Westport and its first responder network is one of the most progressive public safety advocates in the nation. They are real pioneers when it comes to adopting and integrating new technology to protect its community,” Koskinas said. “This pandemic has opened up a new frontier and urgent need for the use of drones. Draganfly is the first in the U.S. to implement this state-of-the-art technology to capture and analyze data in a way that has been peer reviewed and clinically researched to save lives.”

Information provided by the Westport Police Department