Cranford Police Unmanned Aerial System
Submitted by D/Lt. Matthew R. Nazzaro
Beginning on July 2, 2021 during Cranford’s Independence Day Celebration at Nomahegan Park, the Cranford Police Department combined cutting edge technology and extensive training to deploy equipment that enhances first responders’ ability to respond to major events and emergencies in Cranford. With the support of the Cranford Township Committee and a partnership with Conrail (Consolidated Rail Corporation), the Cranford Police Department began deploying Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS/s) for the purpose of improving public safety and expanding first responders’ situational awareness at critical events, fire scenes, missing persons responses, traffic crash investigations, pedestrian safety issues, and timely damage assessments after natural weather events.
In February of 2021, the Cranford Police Department worked in conjunction with senior management at Conrail which operates and manages the freight rail line that extends along the southern portion of the township. Citing concerns about the police department’s accessibility to the tracks during calls for service about trespassers and high-tension power line issues, the Cranford Police Department and Conrail collaborated to discuss effective strategies to aid in emergency responses in these immediately-unreachable areas – which includes property abutting the Garden State Parkway, residential neighborhoods, an industrial business district, and the Rahway River. Conrail recognized this gap and also saw value in providing the Township of Cranford with a tool that could supplement public safety operations. The UAS/s has a powerful on-board camera that streams HD video back to the operator who in turn can immediately communicate critical, timely information with emergency personnel in the field. Because of Conrail’s support and the Township Committee’s approval, Cranford’s UAS/s Unit was established and supplied with the necessary equipment and training to ensure its successful implementation and operation.
The Cranford Police Department designated 4 officers as UAS pilots who received wide-ranging training and passed federal testing requirements to safely, effectively and legally operate newly-deployed UAS/s. This training includes receiving a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Additionally, the Cranford Police Department has secured a Certificate of Waiver and Authorization by the FAA allowing public safety operations of the UAS program. Captain Guy Patterson currently serves as the Commander of the UAS/s Team.
“The purpose of the UAS/s program is to provide our officers and our emergency response partners with the necessary vantage point to assess, monitor, inspect, and assist in critical incidents or special events in our community,” Chief Ryan J. Greco said. The Cranford Police Department’s UAS/s program and all UAS/s operators shall be responsible for annual training, certification, deployment documentation and strict management oversight to ensure proper deployment practices. In addition to benefiting the Cranford Police Department, the opportunity to deploy UAS/s will serve the ever-changing, wide-ranging utility needs of other municipal departments in Cranford that require access to such technology.
