Woburn Police Receive Cummings Grant To Implement Drone Program

WOBURN, MA — The Woburn Police Department has received a $100k grant from the Cummings Foundations to develop and implement a drone program.

The department will use the funds to develop the aerial drone unit, train one or two officers on how to fly the drones and purchase a drone. The intended uses of the drone will range from observing traffic patterns to assisting officers in locating missing or wanted people in areas that are difficult for officers to search.

Currently, there are 431 drones owned and operated by government agencies in Massachusetts. Other departments across the state already have drone programs in place or have started to develop them. Towns near Woburn, such as Tewksbury and Burlington, already have drone programs that have experienced success. The Massachusetts State Police have the highest number of drones, with 88 drones.