New Tool For Montgomery County Bomb Squad
By Jim Melwert
CONSHOHOCKEN (CBS) -- The Montgomery County Sheriff's office's has a new tool for its bomb squad.
The Dragonflyer Guardian drone weighs about three pounds, with a mounted camera, it sends back live video.
Montgomery County Sheriff Russell Bono says it lets them check out dangerous situation without putting a deputy's life at risk.
"The only other way to get down there and see exactly what they have to deal with would be for a deputy to walk down there."
In a demonstration, bomb technician Andrew Noto flew the drone over a pick-up truck about 25-yards away.
"Now I can, looking straight down at it," says Noto, "see there's something that's wrapped up I see a wire coming out of the vehicle to it."
The new drone was paid for by the DA's office with money that was seized and forfeited by criminals with no cost to taxpayers.
This drone will be used specifically for the bomb squad. Montgomery County district attorney Risa Ferman says they're aware of privacy issues with drones.
"We want to make sure we have protocols in place for the proper use of this technology and other technology, like body cameras before they're used very broadly."
As for security during the papal visit, Sheriff Bono says it's unlikely this drone would be used, they have other protocol in place, but it's there if requested.
