The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office says it plans to implement a drone pilot program to enhance U.S.-Mexico border surveillance and operations this fall.
In a statement, the Sheriff's Office says it looks to align with President Donald Trump's executive order, which calls for the acceleration of “the safe commercialization of drone technologies.”
The Office has partnered with Draganfly Inc., a Canadian manufacturer whose drones have been used in de-mining efforts and humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
The pilot program in Cochise County will use drones, AI and other tech like thermal imaging for round-the-clock border surveillance. Drones could be in the air by September.
The southeastern Arizona county skims more than 80 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.
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The American Civil Liberties Union is dropping its bid to block enforcement of a new law that lets state and local police arrest some border crossers. -
Leadership clarified that non-members — including employees or residents, guests of tribal members, travelers on public roadways and vendors tied to the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise — may still travel freely “without any restrictions.” -
Since last year, the Trump administration has awarded billions of dollars in construction contracts for its so-called Smart Wall, and work has been ongoing for months in various parts of Arizona. -
The U.S. Agriculture Department plans to reopen part of the U.S.-Mexico border to cattle later this month. On Aug. 24, the Douglas, Arizona, port will become the first to allow cattle from Mexico to travel into the United States. -
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is again asking the federal government to reimburse Arizona for border security spending.
