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The local police of Alhaurin el Grande has embraced the future with the introduction a state of the art drone designed to improve emergency response, traffic control and surveillance.
The official launch of the new drone unit, staffed by three certified professional pilots, was made with a live demonstration at Cruz de la Misión, in which the drone’s advanced capabilities were demonstrated, including real-time video transmission, powerful zoom, and night vision.
Chief Sub-Inspector Pablo Rengel clarified the role of the drone in transforming police operation: “This will allow crime-prevention flights, crowd monitoring and fire detection as well as operations in difficult-to-reach places, improving safety and efficiency in our interventions.” The versatility of the drone is in line with Spain’s increasing reliance on unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs), fleets such as Direccion General de Trafico’s (DGT’s) 39 drones have already proven effective in traffic enforcement, emergency response and nationwide.
Mayor Anthony Bermudez welcomed the plan, describing it as a key component of the council’s commitment towards technological innovation. Bermudez said, “With this drone we are expanding our local police response capacity and efficiency. We’re delivering a safe, future-ready service.” Alhaurin el Grande is now a leader when it comes to using technology in public safety and emergency response, as part of a broader strategy for digital transformation.
In Spain, the drone deployment has been met with mixed reactions and debate. Some people are concerned about privacy, even though many praise the drones as being efficient in emergency situations such as Valencia’s flood rescues of 2024. X users have criticised the use of urban drones, with one user claiming that Catalonia’s surveillance is “espiar la gente que omple pools” (meaning to watch people who are swimming).spying on people filling pools). Other people fear “police state“situation, recalling 2020 lockdown shaming Madrid.
Alhaurin el Grande’s drone unit complies despite fears Spain’s Royal Decree 517/2024 You can also find out more about the following: EU EASA regulationsThe GDPR requires that privacy and safety are protected. This plan fits into a growing national trend of hybrid policing, which combines aerial surveillance with traditional patrols in order to meet officer shortages as well as the increasing demand from tourism and immigration. Alhaurin el Grande, which is pioneering this approach, must strike a balance between innovation, public trust and strict oversight in order to prevent overreaching surveillance. Be careful if your rooftop terrace is a place where you like to sunbathe narcissistically.
