Fort Worth reports 162 emergency calls in Flock drone pilot

Fort Worth says drones in its two-month pilot of Flock's emergency response system attended 162 emergency 911 calls, with an average response time of 112 seconds. They arrived first at 76 calls and allowed authorities to clear 11 without sending officers to the scene. The remotely operated drones launch from rooftop docks and stream video to dispatchers and officers. The system can respond to 911 calls, license-plate reader notifications or gunshot alerts. Fort Worth says its drones respond only to calls and do not patrol. Privacy concerns have constrained adoption elsewhere: Berkeley rejected a $2-million expansion proposal, and Bridgeport rejected a $500,000 lease for two drones.