Skynet Smiles

When there aren't enough cops, send the drones:

• Cutting-edge drone technology is now online in metro Chicago. The Oak Brook Police Department is deploying a fully autonomous drone to assess situations, and, more often than not, beat uniformed officers to the scene.

  The newest eye in the sky is billed as a vital tool for everyone's safety.

  The first responder drone made by Flock Safety is housed on the top of the department, and sits at the ready to take flight in an instant anywhere in the 8 square miles of the village.

  "So, the drone to get to any scene within a minute and a half, they're going to get that real in-progress real-time information, video data, license plates, offender information and relay that in real time," Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis said.

  He said the new technology is not seen anywhere else in Illinois. Inside the station, operators in their "new real-time crime center" can deploy the drone at their discretion, based on scanner traffic. It then flies at 200-400 feet above roads and red lights, without a human operator.

  Eventually, the drone will be able to deploy itself, based on specific emergency calls that come in. "It'll get there, nine times out of 10, before an officer will arrive. And it'll be the best camera angle and the best view of that situation, as it's evolving," Strockis said.

We believe we mentioned this somewhere years ago:

• with the massive prevalence of cameras, police might not be able to respond to every 911 call, but by golly, they'll record you being robbed, shot, stabbed, raped or murdered.

The Department will even play the highlight reel at the Christmas parties, complete with the Yakety Sax musical accompaniment.