BROOKHAVEN, Ga. - Brookhaven is expanding a police program where drones respond to emergencies.

What we know:

The city council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the expansion of the police department's Drone as First Responders program. The program will now have eight drones that can launch from four different sites across the city.

The new equipment, from AXON and Skydio, will pair with the department's real-time crime center and allow for 24/7 drone response. The department has been testing the new equipment since May.

Drones are not used for routine patrols or broad surveillance, according to the department, but instead respond to "known" emergencies on the ground.

What they're saying:

Officials say drones improve situational awareness for officers responding to emergencies.

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