LANSING (Michigan News Source) – Last Friday, the Michigan State Police apprehended a Holt man with the help of a drone after a domestic incident. It prompted shelter-in-place advisories in the vicinity of West Vermontville Highway and Bradley Road in Eaton County.
What happened?
According to the Lansing State Journal, the events transpired around 2 a.m. when Eaton County received a 911 call concerning a 32-year-old man who had reportedly threatened his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend.
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The individual was described as intoxicated and suicidal, leading to the initiation of shelter-in-place advisories and a subsequent search for the suspect. He was described as a white male in a black coat and jeans.
Shelter-in-place order issued for area and school.
It was around 5 a.m. when Eaton County authorities issued an alert urging residents to shelter in place during the search. Maple Valley Schools also implemented a shelter-in-place order as well for their elementary school which was later lifted upon the apprehension of the suspect.
Troopers had to navigate through challenging terrain with the help of a K9 unit, including a swamp and the Thornapple River. They ultimately found the Holt man in the water with the assistance of an Eaton County drone unit. Troopers then utilized a canoe to bring him into custody.
Suspect taken to hospital for treatment and mental evaluation.
Following the apprehension, the man was taken to Sparrow Hospital for hypothermia treatment. Due to his intoxication, doctors issued a mental evaluation.
After being discharged from the hospital, the suspect was taken to Eaton County Jail in Charlotte. According to WILX-TV10, police charged him with CCW (Carrying a Concealed Weapon), Resist and Obstruct Police, Reckless Driving and Open Intoxicants in a Motor Vehicle.
School kept parents in the loop about situation.
Throughout the search, Maple Valley Schools provided regular updates, reassuring families about the safety of the students. After the suspect’s capture, the school district lifted its shelter-in-place protocol.
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School officials said in a message, ”Throughout this morning we were in constant communication with our police contacts and received updates as we developed plans to protect and serve our students. While there was no danger to our students, this is a good time to review our emergency communications processes so you can be refreshed on how we work to keep you informed.”
Drones are a needed tool for police departments.
As law enforcement undergoes transformations and encounters challenges such as officer shortages and budget reductions, the integration of drone programs presents an additional avenue to address the demands and pressures faced by police departments. These programs contribute to enhancing operational and departmental efficiency, bolstering officer safety, and cutting down on expenses.
According to Drone Responders, approximately 5,000 police departments nationwide used drones in 2020. Police used these drones for disaster response; event security and preparation; road crash investigations and accident scene reconstruction; pursuits, searches and more.
Drones reduce threats to police and can go in difficult areas.
Sending drones into dangerous situations can reduce the threats that police officers face and add capabilities like going inside and between buildings and operating in hard to reach areas. The drones are also useful in capturing aerial views of a situation before a police team even has to engage.
Skydio, a leading U.S. drone manufacturer, says that drones are very useful for pursuit and searches like in the case of the Holt man. They report “If a suspect runs through a building, down an alley, over a fence, and into the woods, officers will have a harder time apprehending them.”
Aerial surveillance of a scene can capture movements of suspect and evidence disposal.
Their report continues, “There have been instances where suspects flee from open windows or back doors, discarding evidence or identifiable clothing along the way. Without the drone, suspects would be difficult to pursue effectively and safely. With aerial surveillance of the scene, officers suspects and quickly collect any discarded weapons or drugs.”
The report emphasizes, “The advantage extends to searches for missing people, whether they’re suspects or not. Some areas are challenging to search due to the terrain, conditions, brush density, and other factors. Drones are capable of searching wide areas using thermal imaging, quickly finding missing citizens even in the harshest areas.”
