At the closely guarded Republican National Convention, even the Fujifilm Blimp has a role in security. Fuji Photo Film USA Inc., the Valhalla, N.Y.-based U.S. arm of the Japanese film maker, is allowing the New York Police Department use of the blimp to bolster aerial patrols above Madison Square Garden.

Police officials refused to say how the blimp was being used, but Fujifilm spokesman Tom Shay confirmed Monday that NYPD officers were on board, free of charge, at the department's request.

The company has worked previously with law enforcers since the 2001 terror attacks, allowing counterterror officers aboard the blimp during high-profile events like the U.S. Open tennis tournament and New York's annual Fleet Week military celebration.

``When it's been possible to provide the blimp for surveillance, we've done that,'' Shay said. ``We normally would be flying anyway at the convention to give our brand name exposure.''


Source : The Associated Press