Cincinnati Police are expanding a program that uses drones to respond to crime reports.

The department announced the expansion of its "Drones as First Responders" program with a ribbon-cutting event Friday.

Last month, city officials told media CPD had been piloting the use of drones to respond to calls for service for several months. It's one of many efforts the department is taking to address this summer's crime increases. Those increases have abated somewhat in recent weeks. You can find more data about crime citywide and by neighborhood on the department's website.

"Within seconds of a call, a drone can be over head showing us exactly what's happening," CPD Chief Teresa Theetge said at the ribbon cutting.

CPD officers who pilot the drones will be FAA certified, the department says.

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