A new approach to responding to retail theft involves the use of drones, as outlined by Keith Kauffman, a former police chief who now oversees Flock’s drone program. Instead of relying on traditional 911 calls, Kauffman notes that the system utilizes an alarm call to initiate the response, maintaining a similar level of urgency.
In a typical scenario, if security personnel at a store, such as Home Depot, observe shoplifters leaving the premises, they can activate the drone from its docking station situated on the roof of the building. The drone, equipped with cameras, would then track the suspects as they leave in a vehicle. Kauffman explained that once a shoplifter enters a car, a simple button click allows security to follow the vehicle in real-time.
The live video feed from the drone may be accessible to the store’s security team, but it also has the potential to be automatically shared with local police departments. This system raises questions about the balance between enhanced security and privacy concerns, as well as the effectiveness of aerial surveillance in deterring or addressing theft in retail settings.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/25/1124088/shoplifters-could-soon-be-chased-down-by-drones/