One New Jersey town is cracking down on public gatherings by sending out talking drones during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Elizabeth Police Department announced the move in a Tuesday Facebook post with footage of the drones, also referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles, in action. The department has had a drone program since 2018 but now has five additional DJI drones on loan to assist.

“These drones will be around the City with an automated message from the Mayor telling you to STOP gathering, disperse and go home,” the police department said. “Summonses HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE to be issued to those found in violation.

“Fines are up to $1000. You have been advised,” the post adds.





The move follows other places across the globe also using new technology to help combat the crisis. A police department in California recently purchased two new drones and is looking into ways the devices could be used to help officers during the pandemic.

At the peak of China’s coronavirus outbreak, the country also used talking drones to force citizens in certain areas to wear face masks. In Belgium, authorities used drones to warn citizens that there was a coronavirus lockdown in place.

New Jersey has the second-most coronavirus cases in the United States, with about 45,000 confirmed infections and at least 1,232 deaths.