JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Jackson police unveiled a new weapon in their fight against crime Thursday morning. It's called the Sky Cop, a sophisticated piece of technology.
With the push of a button three cameras can monitor crowds and will get it's first assignment at this weekends St. Paddy's Day parade where 70,000 are expected.
It checks hot spots in crime ridden neighborhoods and even crime scenes from a remote safe distance. Sky Cop can be operated with a laptop computer or an iPad and monitored in police dispatch.
Chief Rebecca Coleman says this technology is like an addition to the police force. "It will also cut down on the number of officers that we would normally use for burglary suppression having this extra set of eyes in the sky."
Sky Cop technology is already making a difference in Memphis and New Orleans. "They use it in inner city high crime areas. As a result of this unit they have shown a marked decrease in property crimes in the New Orleans area, I mean Memphis area," said Chief Coleman.
The Sky Cop is equipped with infra-red technology for night and day vision. It's smart data system can also capture your car tag even pull up outstanding warrants on the owner immediately.
The City of Jackson purchased the$54,500 Sky Cop with a grant from the Department of Justice. They hope to buy another one in the near future.
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