CHEROKEE COUNTY, Alabama (WBRC) – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department is now using drone technology as an aerial unit to keep you safe.
Sheriff Jeff Shaver says law enforcement in a rural county requires more than patrol vehicles.
“We are always looking for the next cutting-edge technology that will help us do a better job for citizens,” Shaver said.
This current cutting-edge technology involves the operation of an unmanned aerial system or drone, a public safety and emergency response tool.
“In the past, we really didn’t have anything, other than maybe Etowah County could use their helicopter or the Alabama State Troopers, but for us to be able to get the troopers’ one, it It had to be a pretty high-priority call,” said Sgt. Thomas Key, drone operator.
These drones will enable rapid response in critical situations, rescue missions, locating missing children, while providing aerial support for the safety and security of Cherokee County.
“The equipment was funded by the department because of the need for the rural territory we cover here to better locate lost people and do our job better for the citizens,” Shaver said.
With four sophisticated drones at their disposal, which use thermal imaging.
Drone operator Sgt. Key says there’s nothing he can’t see.
“We use it often for surveillance and we will use it to apprehend anyone who is running.” Flying inside to look inside houses if we have any barricaded subjects or anything like that,” said Sgt. Key.
Sgt. Key says the department has two drone operators available 24/7 because they never know when they will be needed.
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