How Middletown PD Saved $4.7M and Restored 154 Hours of Critical Emergency Response Time
In 2021, the Middletown Police Department revolutionized their crash scene documentation process by implementing SkyeBrowse's videogrammetry technology. This innovative approach not only generated substantial cost savings but dramatically improved citywide emergency response capacity.
The Challenge: Prolonged Scene Documentation Impacting System-Wide Response
Before SkyeBrowse, Middletown PD relied on traditional laser scanners that required five officers to spend an average of 2.5 hours at each crash scene. This approach created two critical problems:
- Direct resource consumption: 812+ officer hours annually spent on documentation
- System-wide bottlenecks: Extended road closures delayed all emergency responders traversing affected areas
"We were searching for a solution that could dramatically reduce our officers' exposure time at crash scenes while maintaining the quality and accuracy of our documentation," says Sergeant Terribile of Middletown PD. "What we found with SkyeBrowse wasn't just a replacement for our laser scanners – it was a complete transformation of our workflow."
The Solution: Drone-Based Videogrammetry
SkyeBrowse's technology allowed Middletown PD to complete scene documentation with just one officer in an average of 7.5 minutes – a 98% reduction in time spent at the scene.
Quantifiable Impact: Dual System Benefits
Financial Impact
- Equipment savings: $50,000
- Overtime reduction: $44,240
- City productivity savings: $4.6M
- Total first-year savings: $4.7M
Critical Response System Improvements
- Scene clearance acceleration: 142.5 minutes faster per incident
- Annual response capacity restored: 154 hours citywide
- Officer safety: Drastically reduced roadside exposure
- Enhanced emergency network: Faster route restoration after incidents
System Recovery: The Hidden Value Proposition
Similar to how Drone First Responder programs speed up initial assessments, SkyeBrowse accelerates system recovery. By clearing major scenes nearly 2 hours and 22 minutes faster on average, Middletown PD restored critical route availability for an estimated 154 additional hours annually.
"This means other emergency units responding to unrelated critical calls during these times avoided significant delays," explains Lieutenant Dirga, who oversees the department's traffic division. "They arrive potentially minutes sooner – directly improving outcomes for medical emergencies, active fires, and in-progress crimes across the city."
Evidence Quality Enhancement
The high-resolution 3D models generated by SkyeBrowse have proven invaluable in court proceedings, providing clear, accurate documentation that judges and juries can easily understand.
Expanding Implementation
Building on this success, Middletown PD is expanding their use of SkyeBrowse technology to tactical planning and critical incident response. Additional officers are being trained to integrate drone-based documentation into standard operating procedures across multiple divisions.
"What started as a solution for crash scene documentation has evolved into a fundamental shift in how we approach scene documentation and planning," concludes Sergeant Terribile. "The efficiency and safety benefits we've seen have convinced us that this is the future of law enforcement operations."
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