SILVER SPRING, Md. (7 News) — This past weekend in Montgomery County, the police department’s drone officer was busy again.

Six juveniles were arrested for retail theft. They jumped on a bus and thought they escaped, but they didn’t know the drone was overhead — This is high-tech and crime fighting.

As Montgomery County continues to battle an increase in armed robberies, robberies and shoplifting, the police department is highlighting the fascinating use of drones in policing, showing how they can be a game-changer in the fight against retail theft.

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According to Precinct 3 Commander Jason Cokinos, the last arrest made using the Raven-drone program was a few days ago in downtown Silver Spring.

The six juvenile suspects attempted to carry out a retail theft at a downtown Silver Sprint business, but their escape plan was foiled by a police drone. The Montgomery County Police Department’s Drone First Responder (DFR) team was monitoring live 911 calls when a report of the theft came in. In just 30 seconds, the drone, known as “RAVEN 1,” was in the air and on its way to the scene.

The drone’s quick response allowed law enforcement to track fleeing suspects in real time. As they attempted to escape on a Ride On bus, the drone tracked their movements until ground patrol officers were able to intercept the bus.

This multi-faceted strategy is designed to create a robust response at a time when law enforcement across the state is tackling a crisis in juvenile crime.

New juvenile laws are now in effect and a long-awaited commission is evaluating Maryland’s juvenile justice system. But the law has divided advocates and lawmakers between those who say it closes dangerous loopholes in the system and others who say it criminalizes and traumatizes younger children with little public safety gain.

Opponents of the new policies, such as Maryland Public Defender Natasha Dartigue, say the law was rushed through a lack of data, increases incarceration for low-level non-violent crimes and expands criminalization of children under 13. especially black children. . But supporters of a tougher stance on all-age crime said it allays public fears of carjacking and robberies by younger children. DJS Secretary Vincent Schiraldi said there was a 26 percent decrease in juvenile homicide arrests this year compared to the same period last year.

Under the new laws, local attorneys can review complaints and files of children accused of a crime who are under the supervision of juvenile services. Juvenile records are not made public and do not track a child unless they are charged as an adult.