Lytle Police Chief Richey Priest sees a drone as something needed for the growing small town.
LYTLE, Texas — A small police department is adding eyes in the sky. Lytle police will soon add a drone as a resource for its officers.
Lytle Police Chief Richey Priest sees a drone as something needed for the growing small town.
“We got a couple of water towers but no one wants to climb up them,” he jokingly said.
In all seriousness, Chief Priest said the times are changing and this is something of value.
“We need to be on the forefront of all this stuff we just want to prepared,” he said. “Because, like I said our population is going to double in three to five years,” he said.
The chief gave three examples for the department’s decision to get a drone. Priest first mentioned human smuggling incidents.
“The drone is one aspect that would help us locate people,” he said. “And give our residents the peace of mind that hey there is not 20 people behind your house.”
Secondly, he mentioned lost children which he said is something that does happen in the small town. He brought up a recent incident involving a missing child in the rural side of town. The child was found, but said a drone would have made it easier.
Lastly, Chief Priest talked about how drones would come in handy for special events.
“It would help monitor that for security,” he said.
The drone is from UVT and is on its way. He said it will have infrared and a speaker where officers can give commands.
“None of our immediate departments around us have this capability,” he said.
According to the chief, the cost is about $18,000.
“We are going to do what we can to protect our citizens,” he said.
The chief said about four of its officers are in training and will then take a test with the FAA to get certified. He plans to have the drone up and running in March.