The New York Police Department (NYPD) has begun utilizing drones to patrol city beaches this summer, a measure implemented in response to an increase in shark sightings along the Northeast coast. The NYPD’s Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU), which employs drones for various public safety missions, is now providing an aerial perspective to lifeguards, enabling them to spot sharks before they approach swimmers.
When a shark is detected, drone operators swiftly alert lifeguards, who then clear swimmers from the water as a precaution. This initiative comes as shark encounters have become more frequent. Between July 1 and July 5, 16 sharks were observed off Rockaway Beach, with NYPD drones identifying seven of them, according to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
While shark attacks in New York waters are historically rare, the drone patrols are intended to enhance safety for beachgoers. Recent years have seen a temporary rise in non-fatal shark encounters along Long Island and New York City’s coastlines. The use of drones offers an additional layer of surveillance, aiming to ensure visitor safety while coexisting with sharks in their natural habitat.