What they spied were drones, courtesy of the Methuen Police Department.
The demonstration of the technology was held at the Methuen Senior Center on Oct. 11.
The department launched a drone program in 2017 and it has since grown to encompass seven officers and three drones, according to Methuen police Chief Scott McNamara. The unit primarily focuses on locating missing people, but has many other uses, as well.
“Drones have proven to be highly effective in search-and-rescue missions, where their ability to quickly cover large areas and access difficult terrain is invaluable,” he said.
McNamara said the drones have been deployed in cases of mental health crises, elderly walk-offs, wanted persons, suicidal individuals and narcotics investigations.
He said the community has responded positively to the program and residents recognize the importance of drones in public safety.
In narcotics investigations the drones have been used for real-time surveillance. They have also been used to document crime scenes, monitor illegal ATV operations, and assist at large fire scenes.
Police additionally utilize drones for surveillance during large events like parades, graduations and 4th of July fireworks, McNamara said.
The first drone, a DJI MATRICE M200 V2, was purchased through a grant in 2018 and is primarily used for larger outdoor events.
In 2022 the city purchased a DJI MAVIC 3T, which costs around $8,000. McNamara said this drone, which has thermal imaging capabilities, is smaller and more technologically advanced. Beyond use in the field, the drone is also regularly used in training exercises. While it is primarily designed for outdoor use, it can also be flown indoors in larger spaces when equipped with rotor guards.
The department has a much smaller drone, too, purchased at under $1,000. It’s mainly used for training and indoor deployments.
As police become more comfortable with drones their use has increased.
“Since the inception of the Drone Unit in 2017, its effectiveness has been proven through a steady increase in demand each year,” said McNamara. “Officers have become more familiar with the advantages of drone technology, leading to more frequent requests for their use in the field. Whenever officers encounter a situation where drones could be helpful, they radio the officer in charge to request immediate deployment.”
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