WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Several agencies in New Hanover and Brunswick counties have formed a regional drone team to fight crime and protect the public.
They include the Wilmington Police and Fire Departments, Oak Island and Leland Police Departments, and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. They use a variety of different types and sizes of drones.
“We have regular 6K camera drones so we can use those during the day for whatever incident might be happening mostly traffic accidents where you will see us out there. Some outdoor crime scenes. We have some thermal drones so those are great for our fire calls and our search and rescue calls looking for subjects. We have the indoor drones so that we, it’s smaller and can maneuver in tight quarters better, ” said Kim Breeden, Wilmington Police Department.
The team trains twice a month for four hours to build their skill sets and work together on communication. During a training session recently at the old Leland Fire Department they used a small drone to maneuver through a small hole in the wall. Drone pilot Shawn Barry with the Oak Island Police Department operates the drone by looking through goggles. Within minutes the drone travels through a hallway and down the stairs giving officers outside a glimpse of what the scene looks like before firefighters go in.
“Instead of trolling through the house to get to the hotspots we were able to get around the worst part of the house to hit direct, right on the hotspots,” said Capt. Jason Garay, Wilmington Fire Department.
Outside, New Hanover County sheriff’s office deputy Dustin Sessions takes Wilmington Police Detective Aaron Lawrence through a proficiency test.
“The pilots will take the drone, take a series of pictures of each of these 15 buckets that have a picture with a green ring on the inside, making sure that the pictures of the green ring are not obstructed by the bucket. It translates over to our missions where we’re looking for a missing person, looking for the smallest bit of evidence we’re not going to miss it due to an error with the controller due to just how finicky the controllers are,” said Dustin Sessions, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
Drones are also playing a key role in disaster recovery and first responders have found it easier, quicker and more cost-effective to use drones rather than a helicopter or boat.
“Especially during hurricanes before we get boats to do a rescue in the Castle Hayne area where they flood a lot we can just throw a drone up see where the damages are, see where people who are in need of our help are located,” said Garay.
“That’s a natural progression with technology you’re starting to see drone technology where it can actually do a lot of the roles where manned aircraft can do,” said Lt. Greg Willett, Wilmington Police Department.
The team has more than a dozen drones that can help cover emergencies and they’re looking to add even more. Showing when it comes to protecting and to serve the sky’s the limit.
The drones also have speakers they can use to relay a message. So for example, if first responders know someone is stranded a mile or so away they can record a message, send the drone, and play the message letting the stranded party know help is on the way or maybe even give directions on how to find their way to safety.
Students at Ashley High School can also take a drone class.
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