By Olivia Gauthier, ABC 33/40
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is increasingly relying on drones to enhance community safety and respond more swiftly to incidents. Sheriff Mark Pettway said the use of (Skydio X10) drones allows deputies to deploy them immediately upon arriving at a scene, providing critical situational awareness with their infrared cameras.
“We have a helicopter, but that drone is right there with that officer, or that deputy when he gets on the scene,” Pettway said. “When we have someone that jumps out the car or runs from us, that deputy can deploy that drone immediately...with the infrared camera that it has, it can pick up that body image, and it can show us where that individual is hiding.”
Since 2021, the sheriff’s office has expanded its drone operations, now utilizing five drones. From 2024 to the present, these drones have been flown for 13 different agencies, accumulating 54 hours of flight time across 77 calls for service. Pettway emphasized the need for more deputies and community members to join the reserve force to operate drones.
Read the full story on ABC 33/40: Drone zone: Jefferson County’s eyes in the sky enhance safety and inspire future pilots