Anniston, Alabama — What could have turned into a dangerous night in the woods for a police department in Alabama instead ended swiftly to a drone equipped with a heavy duty spotlight.
Yesterday evening, the Anniston Police Department responded to a report of a missing hiker on the horse trails at McClellan. Man had became disoriented and was unable to find his way out as visibility dropped and the terrain grew more difficult. With time working against them, authorities deployed a thermal drone to aid in the search.
Using heat detection, the drone quickly pinpointed the hiker’s location. They then used the drone’s spotlight feature to guide him safely back to safety.
“This incident highlights the significant value of our drone program. By utilizing advanced technology, we are able to locate individuals more quickly, reduce risk to both citizens and officers, and bring situations to a safe resolution more efficiently.” -Anniston Police Department
Anniston Police Department is thankful that the rescue operation went smoothly and are proud to have high tech tools that enhance their ability to serve and protect the community. Anniston Police Department also issued a special thanks to their partners at the Anniston Fire Department and Anniston EMS for their quick response and assistance.
