It’s a first of its kind for any Hudson County municipality, and just the fourth in the entire state of New Jersey. The North Bergen Police Department has officially launched a cutting-edge drone unit, becoming the first town in Hudson to utilize a drone as a first responder (DFR) using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into its public safety operations.
The unit is spearheaded by Sgt. Sean Rahbari, a certified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remote pilot and member of the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team. According to a press release from the municipality, “the newly formed NBPD UAS Division includes a team of four specially trained officers. The program enhances situational awareness, improves response times, and increases officer and civilian safety without the high costs and risks associated with traditional aviation units.”
Mayor Nicholas Sacco is thrilled with the drone unit, saying “This is a historic moment for public safety in North Bergen. By adopting this innovative technology, we’re staying ahead of the curve, using smart, safe tools that help protect our residents and support our officers on the ground.”
The press releases says, “The piloting software— manufactured by Paladin, a Texas-based company — operate within a 3-mile radius using LTE transmission. While they can fly up to 400 feet, they are generally deployed at around 200 feet, responding in real time to emergencies prioritized by NBPD supervisors. Each mission is recorded and stored in a secure database, helping document and analyze public safety responses across the township.”
Allen Pascual, Commissioner of Public Safety for the township, stated, “This drone program is a game-changer for how we approach emergency response. We now have the capabilities of an aviation unit without putting a pilot in the air or dealing with the extreme costs and safety risks of helicopters—something that’s especially important given recent aerial accidents in the region.”
The drone initiative was officially installed one month ago. It was funded entirely through criminal forfeiture funds, meaning there is no burden on taxpayers. Commissioner Pascual added that Chief Robert Farley Jr.’s efforts to secure these funds have helped to fortify the local police force with valuable upgrades to keep residents safe. The township will be announcing further upgrades to the police department during the coming weeks. With each flight using about 5% battery per mile and requiring just 25 minutes to recharge, the drones offer a rapid-deployment advantage unmatched by traditional methods.
Chief Farley stated, “This program took nearly a year to get off the ground— from FAA licensing to implementation —but it was worth every step. Our UAS Division is already proving invaluable in search operations, scene assessments, and supporting patrol units. We’re proud to lead Hudson County in deploying this kind of life-saving technology.”