Adds FLIR-Equipped Drones To Augment The County's Helicopter Service

The Oconee County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office has acquired some new technology. It is now one of a few agencies in South Carolina's upstate to be able to employ unmanned aerial support. The system will be used in conjunction with the department's helicopter for law enforcement and first responder events such as; search and rescue missions, such as lost hikers, locating the elderly as a part of Project Life Saver, assistance with drownings, and to locate potentially dangerous fleeing suspects.

Unmanned Aerial Systems bring added capabilities to certain missions that helicopters do not. They take less time to deploy and can help find subjects that are located in areas where an extended aerial view may be limited. The Sheriff’s Office has never had any thermal imaging capability on the helicopter due to the high cost of the equipment. The cost for a FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) is much more affordable on a UAS than it is for a helicopter. This technology will allow for added visibility and tracking capabilities that may not be possible to decipher with the naked eye alone.

“We are constantly looking for technology to better help us protect and serve our citizens. We continue to be advocates for community oriented policing but we must also take advantage of any technology that increases our efficiency and effectiveness. This increases the probability of finding missing persons much quicker as well as locating a potentially dangerous suspect that could harm our community” according to Sheriff Crenshaw.

The cost for this equipment was approximately $20,000 with the attached FLIR and camera systems. 85% of the funding came from reimbursement for the Sheriff’s Office assistance with past hurricanes on the coast. UAS’s are regulated by the FAA and Sheriff’s Office personnel have been certified through the FAA part 107 to fly it in accordance with the current regulations.

(Source: Oconee County Sheriff news release)

FMI: www.oconeelaw.com