Saanich Police may deploy drones at UVic for Halloween safety

The Saanich Police Department has announced the potential use of drones, known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), to monitor the University of Victoria campus during the Halloween weekend. The deployment aims to enhance public safety and provide real-time aerial perspectives to support officer decision-making.

If utilized, the aircraft will operate in accordance with privacy legislation, federal aviation requirements, and Transport Canada guidelines. The department utilizes three types of drones: a large model equipped with thermal sensors for locating missing persons, a model designed for indoor use with propeller guards, and a lightweight micro drone for rapid information gathering.

This initiative follows the Victoria Police Department (VicPD) decision to permanently expand its own drone program. VicPD reported that its drones have been used in over 140 instances since the expansion began earlier this year, assisting in tasks such as missing person investigations and emergency damage assessments following natural disasters.