In response to a rising crime wave, the Curacao Public Prosecutor (OM) and Curacao Police Corps (KPC) will have access to a Dutch unmanned aircraft during the first quarter of this year. The Dutch Department of Defence has sent a “Raven,” at the request of the island’s justice department, to detect and track criminals.
The unmanned aircraft weighs a little over 4.4 pounds and is equipped with a camera that transmits detailed images to a ground station, enabling informed and appropriate action.
According to the Public Prosecution Service of Curaçao, the number of robberies has increased. The crime rate reportedly peaks every year between December and March when the island is busier due to the annual holidays and carnival season.
Curaçao requested the UAS to prevent the crime rate from spiking again.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence also sent experts to operate the UAS, which will be used until late March, after which an evaluation will be conducted to determine whether the mission will need to be extended, reports NL Times.
Curacao has been grappling with a rising crime rate. Late last year the minister of justice announced that he wanted to enlist the help of the Netherlands more frequently
Source: Caribbean 360