Brownsville, TX (KRGV) — The city of Brownsville plans to use drones in its entertainment districts to help officers cover more ground and cut overtime costs, Brownsville City Attorney Will Trevino said.

Trevino says police presence has helped address criminal activity outside bars, but keeping officers on the ground has cost the city about $27,000 a month in overtime.

Brownsville has 40 unfilled police positions, and the city plans to use drone surveillance to help cover the area.

"But having a drone presence will actually help a lot more because they’re able to view more with the drone and then utilize them, basically dispatching officers to an area that’s needed," Trevino said.

Trevino says a new collective bargaining agreement lets the city use a separate hiring process for experienced officers transferring from other departments.

He says that will help Brownsville recruit experienced officers while it keeps hiring new cadets.

For the holiday weekend, there could be more officers on the ground and drones in the skies.

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