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The surveillance planes add to an array of technology already in use for crime-fighting purposes, such as a network of more than 700 street-level surveillance cameras and gunshot detection technology that uses sensors to pinpoint where and when shootings occur. Earlier this year, officials said 8 percent of the CCTV cameras do not work properly. The police department also has a helicopter unit, Foxtrot.
John Arnold, the Texas philanthropist whose foundation is providing the funding, said in a statement that they "hope to learn whether this technology can be a useful part of Baltimore’s crime reduction strategy.”
Since 2016, supporters have been trying to relaunch the planes, pitching a three-year, $6.6 million program that would put three planes over the city simultaneously. Each would have the capability of covering 32 square miles at a time, and fly 40 to 50 hours a week.
Harrison confirmed that the trial program would involve three planes.
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