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Clay crimefighters get a view from above

Published on March 20, 2023 at 4:48 pm

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has new eyes in the sky.

Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook says the county has bought three drones. Two will be used for patrol operations, while the third is assigned to the county’s Emergency Preparedness Unit.

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Cook says the drones will help with search and rescue, active shooter incidents, disaster response and crime scene processing.

Since they can be deployed immediately, their thermal-imaging cameras can find people who are lost in deep foliage or water.

The cost was $20,000 apiece.

State statutes spell out privacy and safety requirements for a Florida law enforcement agency to fly a drone, and Cook says Clay County’ is committed to following those guidelines and obtaining search warrants where required.

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author image Reporter, WJCT News 89.9 Dan Scanlan is a veteran journalist with almost 40 years of experience in radio, television, and print reporting. He has worked at various stations in the Northeast and Jacksonville. Prior to joining the WJCT News team, Dan spent 34 years at The Florida Times-Union as a police and current affairs reporter.
author image Reporter, WJCT News 89.9 Dan Scanlan is a veteran journalist with almost 40 years of experience in radio, television, and print reporting. He has worked at various stations in the Northeast and Jacksonville. Prior to joining the WJCT News team, Dan spent 34 years at The Florida Times-Union as a police and current affairs reporter.

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