Advanced Eye in the Sky, another instrument in the fight against crime has taken off in the Mother City. ISR, commonly referred to as Eye in the Sky, is a 2-seater fixed-wing aircraft fitted with state-of-the-art cameras.
Advanced Eye in the Sky takes off
The City’s Safety and Security Directorate will deploy ISR to provide officers with situational awareness and aerial imagery when conducting various enforcement operations.
“The ISR technology is a versatile tool, as the fixed wing aircraft can cover larger geographical areas, ” said the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
By using ISR, the Metro’s crime prevention capabilities will be enhanced with advanced aerial surveillance technology.
READ MORE: Criminals can’t hide from the eye in the sky
It will further strengthen our technological arsenal.
Situational awareness and aerial imagery
Smith added, “It can stay in the air for longer periods doing low level reconnaissance flights and will be less weather dependent than drones.”
The ISR technology will take information gathering to the next level in the fight against poaching, land invasions, vegetation fires, illegal street racing, responding to gang incidents and pursuing stolen or hijacked vehicles.
Support for various enforcement operations
The aircraft can fly higher than a drone. It is also fitted with infrared cameras, allowing it to register body heat in cold water, the heat resonating from a recently fired firearm or even the wheels of a speeding vehicle.
“The technology’s use will not be limited to the enforcement environment, but can also help in other instances, like the monitoring of high voltage lines, vandalism of vital infrastructure, coastal impact and biodiversity related issues,” Smith elaborated.
The aircraft is a Cessna 337. Trained, experienced pilots will man the aircraft, which will be provided through a tender contract.
Technological arsenal
The City’s technological arsenal includes drones, DashCam, BodyCam, Shotspotter, CCTV and ANPR applications.
MORE ABOUT: Biggest safety plan in the history of the Western Cape
The aerial information, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft is now part of this arsenal.
He said, “The aircraft will also assist with improving rapid response time by officers during planned operations as precise information can be relayed.”
