APD Drones Will Patrol Bosque During Summer

Albuquerque –

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department is expanding its use of drone technology to monitor the Rio Grande Bosque following a series of suspicious fires and ongoing extreme heat that has heightened fire risk across the city.

During a press conference today, Mayor Tim Keller and APD Chief Harold Medina highlighted the critical role drones are now playing in protecting the city’s cherished open space. The initiative comes after three consecutive days of fires in the Bosque earlier this month—fires that investigators believe were intentionally set. APD’s quick response resulted in an arrest in connection to one of the fires.

“We’ve experienced record heat this season, and that’s a dangerous combination when it comes to fire conditions in the Bosque,” said Mayor Keller. “We’re using every tool available to prevent future fires, combat criminal activity and if a fire does pop up, we have the capabilities to detect that and respond rapidly.”

The drone program allows APD to monitor large, hard-to-reach areas of the Bosque in real time. When smoke, heat signatures, or suspicious activity are detected from above, Open Space officers are immediately dispatched to investigate on the ground. The goal is early intervention—whether to stop a potential fire before it spreads or to investigate criminal activity before it escalates. Members of the National Guard are also assisting in operating the drones and evaluating the video they are capturing.

“This is a game changer for our department,” said APD Chief Harold Medina. “Drones are giving us eyes in the sky and allowing us to respond faster and smarter. They are now an essential tool in our crime-fighting and public safety toolbox.”

Chief Medina emphasized that drone technology is also helping APD gather evidence, track patterns, and deter illegal activity throughout the Bosque area.

The city’s drone initiative is part of a broader push to modernize policing and leverage technology to improve public safety. As the program grows, city leaders say it will continue to be used not just for fire prevention, but for broader proactive policing and to assist criminal investigations.

The City of Albuquerque encourages the public to report any suspicious activity or signs of fire by calling 911 or to (505)-242-COPS for non-emergencies.