The Enumclaw Police Department is set to expand its drone program, thanks to a grant from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority.
Since March, EPD has been utilizing drones throughout the city to support officers in a variety of tasks, such as documenting car accidents, conducting rescues, and combating vehicle theft.
Initially, the program included a fleet of seven drones: four designed for quick deployment primarily used for aerial photography and videography, two smaller drones for reconnaissance in confined spaces, and a specialized drone named “Scout 1.” Scout 1 boasts advanced features, including the ability to operate in adverse weather conditions, achieve speeds up to 51 miles per hour, and is equipped with spotlights, speakers, and thermal imaging capabilities.
However, following the July 24 Enumclaw City Council meeting, where a $40,000 grant from WATPA was approved, EPD’s six drone-certified pilots will each have a “Scout 1” available in their patrol vehicles. This will enhance response times, eliminating the need to return to the station to retrieve the specialized drone.
Chief Tim Floyd explained, “The grant from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA) will equip each pilot with a patrol-ready quickly deployable thermal-equipped drone,” Chief Tim Floyd said. “This will assist pilots with locating suspects who flee from stolen vehicles as we can track their heat signature through thick bushes and trees.”
The rate of auto thefts has been increasing over the past few years.
Image source: Ray Miller-Still