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APSA E-Newsletter : 2024 June

June 2024 Airborne Public Safety Association, Inc.
APSA E-Newsletter

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In This Issue:

Register Today for APSA's Annual Education & Training Conferences

Survival Systems USA to Conduct Water Egress/Survival Training at APSCON 2024

Don't Wait; June 30 Deadline to Enter Air Beat’s Photo Contest

New Show to Highlight Aircrew Missions of Marion County

Man Sentenced to 36 Years for Firing at Police Drone and Officer

Training Courses Based on NIST sUAS Test Methods Offered at APSCON 2024

Pilot Program to Utilize Drones in All Louisville Police Divisions

Agency Releases Video of Value & Effectiveness of its Aviation Unit

Remote Pilot-In-Command Hybrid Courses

Officers Form Human Chain to Rescue Suspect from River

Join the Conversation: APSA's Online Meeting Groups

Canadian & Natural Resources: Upcoming APSA Safety Stand-To's

Nashville's Aviation Unit Helps with Carjacking Arrests, and More

Helicopter and Fire Crews Work Together to Save Man After Car Went Over Cliff

Gunman Arrested After Wounding 5 People, Firing at LAPD Helicopter

Heroism Award Presented to MSP Aviation for Whole Blood Program

NYPD to Use Drones for Immediate Response to Gunshots

PA Agency Sees Success in New Drone Program

Simi Valley to Launch Police Drone Program

Drone and K-9 Unit Lead to Arrests in Auto Burglary Spree

ND Agency Receives $35,000 Donation for Drones

APSA Attending Commercial UAV Expo

Denver Further Develops Drone Program with Foundation Grant

Police Dogs and Drones Collaborate in New Program

Share Your Knowledge in Air Beat, Writers Wanted

APSA Welcomes New Members

 

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APSA Resources:

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APSA Membership Benefits

APSA Training and Education Events 


 

Welcome!

APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to bring you the latest on news and events within the public safety aviation community. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.


Register Today for APSA's Annual Education & Training Conferences

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APSA's premier training and networking events, APSCON 2024 and APSCON Unmanned, will be conducted in downtown Houston, TX the week of July 29-August 3. These events will take place concurrently at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Conducted as separate educational events with a shared exhibit hall, you will have access to industry-leading public safety aviation training, products and services in one location no matter what type of aircraft you operate. Educational sessions include airborne thermography, aerial tactics, unit management, flight safety, maintenance, mission techniques and so much more, all presented by subject matter experts. Detailed information is posted on our website as well as in the Conference Preview Issue of Air Beat magazine. 

There are lots of new classes and courses in store for APSCON 2024, as well as a flying component that has been added to APSCON Unmanned. APSA will be offering both our Basic/Open (Test Lanes 1-3) and Advanced/Confined (Test Lanes 1-5) Proctor Training Courses based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sUAS Test Methods. NIST will be on-hand for this event and all flying will take place in our exhibit hall. 

The exhibit hall is the best place to check out the latest, cutting-edge technology while networking with your peers and friends. APSA Corporate members will display products and showcase their services while creating an exceptional learning environment in one central location. And don't forget the outstanding social/networking events sponsored by our generous supporters, as well as the APSA Awards that will recognize excellence in public safety aviation.

The Houston Police Department Air Support Division is this year's hosts, and there's so much to do in and around the GRB Convention Center. Register and make plans now to take advantage of the best public safety aviation training anywhere. See you next month! 
 

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Survival Systems USA to Conduct Water Egress/Survival Training at APSCON 2024

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By taking the Water Egress and Survival Training in conjunction with APSCON 2024, you will learn from a team of experts how to egress after ditching in water and how to use your emergency air and survival vest. Equipment and techniques will be discussed in a classroom/ground school setting followed by practical application in the dunker at the Hilton Americas Hotel pool. 

This 1-day training course, taught by Survival Systems USA (SSUSA), will take place on Thursday, August 1. A second course may be added if Thursday’s course sells out.  The cost of this exceptional training is $395 (fee must be paid in advance) and a medical waiver must be completed. Members wishing to participate in Water Egress and Survival Training must contact SSUSA directly. Email registrar@survivalsystemsinc.com or call 860-405-0002 Ext. 114 for more information.

 

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Don't Wait; June 30 Deadline to Enter Air Beat's Photo Contest

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Photography is a powerful way to tell the stories behind public safety aviation. APSA invites you to enter its annual photo contest that is open now through June 30. The more photos you submit, the greater your chances of winning. The grand prize of a DJI Mini 3 Drone Aerial Camera Bundle will be presented to the winning photographer at APSCON 2024 in Houston, TX. You do not need to be present to win. 

To be eligible, photographers must be an APSA member in good standing. Photos submitted should have a public safety aviation element such as aircraft (helicopters, fixed-wing or UAS), aircrews, missions, trainings, etc. and include a photo caption of less than 25 words. Click here to learn more and submit your photos.

 

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New Show to Highlight Aircrew Missions of Marion County

A new docuseries on Paramount+ this month called CHOPPER COPS will spotlight the Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) Aviation Unit. The 1,600 square-mile area they patrol is north of Orlando, FL. Marion County's highways, forests and suburban neighborhoods are crime scenes to more than 7,000 felonies a year. But with a jurisdiction larger than the state of Rhode Island, ground units find it impossible to have eyes everywhere.

With 10 half-hour episodes debuting on June 18, CHOPPER COPS showcases MCSO's state-of-the-art helicopters manned by elite police pilots. Known as Air One, the Aviation Unit operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and the docuseries gives viewers an opportunity to see what public safety aircrews do. Air One's stories are brought to vivid life through in-chopper cameras, radio transmissions and first-person interviews with law enforcement. The series also includes high-octane footage of the aviation team’s response to an officer being shot and the efforts to arrest the suspected shooter. Here is a series trailer to watch

Source: paramountplus.com
 

 

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Man Sentenced to 36 Years for Firing at Police Drone and Officer

A man who fired at a law enforcement officer and a Costa Mesa (CA) Police Department drone during a more than eight-hour standoff almost two years ago was sentenced last month to 36 years and four months in prison, court records show.

Luis Mendez Jr., 51, was convicted earlier this year of assault with a deadly weapon against a special agent, among other charges, for firing at, but not hitting, a state bureau of firearm agent during the Oct. 5, 2022 standoff.

Prosecutors in a sentencing brief wrote that agents were checking on firearms that had been registered at the address for a residence and business used by Mendez despite his being barred from owning such weapons due to a 2017 domestic violence conviction. Prosecutors wrote that Mendez shot at an agent with a .308 round from a rifle while the agent was preparing to breach a door after Mendez ignored law enforcement attempts to identify themselves. Mendez later fired three rounds from a shotgun at a drone, according to court filings.

At one point during the standoff, Mendez texted a friend "I had to fire in legitimate defense," according to a probation report. He surrendered after authorities used tear gas to get him out of the building. Law enforcement officials recovered a rifle, a shotgun and multiple handguns. No injuries were reported.

A defense attorney, in their own sentencing brief, asked the judge for a lesser sentence of 8 years in prison. The defense wrote that there was no evidence that Mendez intended to hit anyone and noted he had more firepower at his disposal that he did not use during the standoff.

Source: ocregister.com
 

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Training Courses Based on NIST sUAS Test Methods Offered at APSCON 2024

APSA offers the Basic/Open and Advanced/Confined Proctor Training Courses based on the NIST sUAS Test Methods. These test methods are an excellent way to add a sUAS pilot flight skills credentialing component to your sUAS program, and can also be used to evaluate sUAS capabilities and sensor systems. Those registering for these courses must be experienced sUAS pilots who want to hone their skills, evaluate sensor systems and/or have a desire to train and evaluate other sUAS pilots. 

The Basic/Open Proctor Training Course is two days and covers Open Test Lanes Levels 1-3 (Level 1 – Basic Proficiency; Level 2 – Maneuvering Trials; Level 3 – Payload Functionality Trials).  The Advanced/Confined Proctor Training Course is a 3-day course covering the Open Test Lanes as well as the Obstructed (Level 4) and Confined (Level 5) Test Lanes.  Successful completion of these courses provides you with the corresponding Remote Pilot Proficiency and Proctor Certificates, allowing you to serve as a proctor for these test lanes.    

The next Basic/Open Proctor Training will take place July 29-30, 2024 at APSCON Unmanned 2024 in Houston, TX, with the next Advanced/Confined Proctor Training Course at the same location, July 30 – August 1, 2024. Register here
 
Another Basic/Open Proctor Training will take place at the Texas DPS Tactical Training Center in Florence, TX on September 30-October 1, followed by the Advanced/Confined Proctor Training Course at the same location October 2-4, 2024.

APSA is actively seeking entities to host these Basic/Open and Advanced/Confined Courses. If your agency is interested in hosting any of these courses and receiving a free set of NIST sUAS Test Methods apparatus along with complimentary registration, please email Dan Schwarzbach or call him at 713-213-4749. 
 

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Pilot Program to Utilize Drones in All Louisville Police Divisions

Dozens of Louisville Metro (KY) Police Department (LMPD) officers will undergo Federal Aviation Administration training on how and when to use small, camera-equipped unmanned aircraft. Each of LMPD's eight divisions will soon have at least one unmanned aircraft.

The pilot program announced last month grew out of efforts to address the use of ATVs and dirt bikes in Riverview Park and parts of the Louisville Loop in southwest Jefferson County, officials said. In April, two people were hit and killed by a person on an ATV while walking on the Loop. LMPD Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel said at a press conference that the department plans to test out the drones for search and rescue operations, surveying traffic collisions and getting a birds-eye view of hard-to-reach places, like the Loop. "I'm super excited that we are in a space now that this city is embracing technology, but still holding us accountable for how we're using it," she said. "This is how we move our city forward."

The training and purchase of drones is expected to cost about $100,000. While LMPD already has a helicopter and a few drones, officials said this pilot program will help equip all eight divisions with UAS technology and training. LMPD is one of an estimated 1,400 law enforcement agencies across the country that have started implementing drones into their daily operations.

Source:  lpm.org/news
 

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Agency Releases Video of Value & Effectiveness of its Aviation Unit

The Portland (OR) Police Bureau released a new video highlighting the work of its Air Support Unit (ASU) following the purchase of a more modern airplane this past year. The video can be found here

ASU provides aerial support and expertise for the PPB's patrol, investigative and administrative needs. In 2023, the unit flew 1,146 hours (including simulator use). Of those hours, 754.2 hours were patrol support flights. The unit also received 379 flight requests for 32 different units/agencies and continued to be on-scene of emergency calls for service in under two minutes. Last year, ASU responded to 1,977 calls for service and conducted 10 flight missions to assist East Precinct personnel with stolen vehicle missions. As part of its contribution to curbing gun violence, the Air Support Unit successfully assisted in the recovery of 113 firearms during focused missions and while conducting patrol support flights. 

The Air Support Unit currently has two airplanes: a 2015 Cessna 182T, which was purchased in 2023, replacing the former Air1, which was from 1978 as well as a 2003 Cessna 182T. The ASU also has a Redbird flight simulator that provides training to pilots and TFOs. 

Source: portlandoregon.gov/police/news
 

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Remote Pilot-In-Command Hybrid Courses

Let us help you expand your UAS knowledge. APSA offers a Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) Course in a hybrid format. This course consists of an approximately 16-hour online, self-paced portion followed by a 4-hour live online review, Q&A and test preparation session. The course is intended for public safety personnel, both sworn and non-sworn, who are interested in obtaining their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under FAR PART 107. 

The self-paced portion is from September 9-October 6, with the live session on October 7, 2024 from 1100-1500 EDT. The registration deadline is September 8 and the cost is $250. The registration fee includes a one-year APSA membership. Register here

Can't make these dates?  No worries. APSA has another one of these sessions scheduled for December 9-January 6, 2025. Register here
 

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Officers Form Human Chain to Rescue Suspect from River

Last month, the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Air Wing was patrolling the skies when troopers onboard learned that another trooper’s cruiser had been struck while conducting a nearby traffic stop. In a statement, MSP said, "The vehicle that had been stopped for violations, without warning, reversed into the trooper's cruiser and fled the area. The vehicle was quickly located abandoned near Saint Kolbe Drive in Holyoke."

As the crews began to search the area for the suspect, troopers operating the aircraft's infrared camera spotted a person ducking behind a wall along the bank of the Connecticut River and directed officers and troopers on the ground to that location. The MSP aircrew noted that the man was struggling in the water of the river and suffering from an apparent injury. Troopers and officers then formed a human chain to hoist him to safety.

"MSP and Holyoke officers deployed their water rescue throw-bags to help keep the man above water long enough to lower a life vest. Now in the water for some time, the man began to show signs of hypothermia," MSP said. "With the man close to going under, more than a dozen Holyoke officers and MSP Troopers formed a chain to hoist the injured man to safety." Watch a video of the rescue here

The man, who investigators later determined to be the suspect who fled the initial traffic stop, was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. The incident remains under investigation.

Source: yahoo.com
 

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Join the Conversation: APSA's Online Meeting Groups

APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers, maintenance technicians, SAR, natural resource, and UAS operators that you can join using your computer, mobile device or phone. To facilitate this, the UAS, Safety Officer and Maintenance Technician Meeting Groups meet once every two months, and the SAR Personnel and Natural Resources Meeting Groups meet quarterly.

These meetings are open to any APSA member. Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to registration@publicsafetyaviation.org.

The upcoming schedule for the APSA online group meetings is:
 
Natural Resources: Wednesday, June 19 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)
UAS: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
Safety Officers: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
SAR: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
Maintenance: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

You can see the full 2024 Online Meeting Group Schedule here
 

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Canadian & Natural Resources: Upcoming APSA Safety Stand-To's

There are two Safety Stand-To events scheduled for October, so mark your calendars to attend. The Calgary (Canada) Police Service will host an in-person gathering on Oct. 16-17 at the Calgary Police Service Training center. Register here

Later that month, a virtual Safety Stand-To with an emphasis on Natural Resources will take place Oct. 23. This online event is open to both APSA members and non-members. In order to participate, you must register online. The educational agenda will be posted here soon. 

APSA conducts Safety Stand-Tos on an on-request basis for members at their facility.  To schedule a Safety Stand-To in your area, please contact APSA Training Program Manager Dan Knight at 208-818-6491 and/or APSA Executive Director/CEO Dan Schwarzbach at 713-213-4749. 

 

 
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Nashville's Aviation Unit Helps with Carjacking Arrests, and More

On May 15, a Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) pursuit led to the arrest of five teens, ranging between the ages of 13 and 18. Police said the group put a gun to a woman's head outside of a store in South Nashville and stole her car. The department's Aviation Unit was there to track them down. 

"Once we get eyes on a bad guy, they're generally not going to get away from us," said Cmdr. Michael Baujan of the MNPD's Aviation Unit. The pursuit stemmed from a carjacking, a crime the MNPD has been working to combat. Last year, the department tracked 249 carjackings. "There's no better policing than an aircraft following a specific vehicle that has just committed a crime and telling the ground guys where to go to get them into custody," Baujan said. ";They were able to safely keep an eye on that vehicle for roughly 21 minutes until the ground guys got there," said Baujan. "The bad guys bailed from the vehicle and ground guys went in and got all five of them in custody."

So far this year, data shows the MNPD's Aviation Unit has assisted in several arrests and recoveries: 177 arrests, 64 vehicles recovered, 60 firearms recovered, 1,287 grams of marijuana recovered and 120,055 fentanyl pills recovered. During the May 15 arrest, three firearms were seized and the 18-year-old who was arrested is now facing multiple charges, including carjacking. 

Source: wkrn.com
 

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Helicopter and Fire Crews Work Together to Save Man After Car Went Over Cliff

A man was rescued last month after being thrown from his car that went over cliff on the Sonoma County coast. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) Henry-1 helicopter aircrew was requested at about 8 a.m. that day after the driver's Ford Automatic Crash Notification System reported a collision. 

GPS coordinates were obtained and showed an accident had happened. A ranger then located the vehicle about 200 feet down from the roadway, with only a large tree stopping it from rolling further down the cliff, according to SCSO. The ranger climbed down the steep embankment to check the vehicle for occupants as the Henry-1 lowered a 100-foot longline rescue to the vehicle with a paramedic and officer. They did not locate anyone inside the vehicle, but began an extensive search of the rugged terrain looking for anyone who may have been ejected or who escaped the wreckage. 
 
Fire crews from the Monte Rio Fire Protection District and the Timber Cove Fire Department set up a rope system to deploy personnel to the wreckage to assist with the search. After approximately 45 minutes of searching the area, Henry-1 was flown to check the surrounding ravines and located what appeared to be dirt that had been disturbed approximately 300 feet down from the vehicle. 

A search continued down the ravine and the victim was discovered laying in a patch of brush at the bottom of a tree, approximately 350 feet down from the wreckage. The man was critically injured and placed into a rescue device and flown to a local trauma hospital where he is expected to survive, the Sheriff’s Office said.  Watch a video of the rescue here


Source:  kron4.com/news
 

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Gunman Arrested After Wounding 5 People, Firing at LAPD Helicopter

A 61-year-old man was arrested on May 25 on suspicion of shooting and wounding five people at a Los Angeles area home and then firing at a police helicopter after locking himself inside. The man had barricaded himself inside his home following the initial outbreak of gunfire. During the standoff, he is alleged to have taken a shot at an overhead Los Angeles Police Department helicopter, which was providing support to ground officers.

The responding officers found four gunshot victims and a fifth victim was later found at a hospital, where police determined he had driven himself. 

The man now faces seven counts of attempted murder, alongside charges of making criminal threats, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, and firing at an aircraft. His bail has been set at $9.8 million. The motive behind the shooting spree remains unclear.

Source: abcnews.com
 

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Heroism Award Presented to MSP Aviation for Whole Blood Program

Several members from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command received awards for their heroism, outstanding service and efforts to promote safety last month at the annual State Employees Risk Management Administration (SERMA) 2024 Conference. Aviation Command Flight Paramedics First Sergeant David Svites, Sergeant Joshua Heins, Corporal Kristie Peterson and State Aeromedical Director Dr. Douglas Floccare received the Award of Heroism for their work in implementing the Whole Blood Program. 

Since its inception in Maryland on May 10, 2023, the Whole Blood Program has allowed for 122 units of whole blood to be administered to 101 patients. Whole blood is used to treat the most critically injured during transport on the AW139 helicopters.

"The contributions that our sworn and civilian personnel have made to ensure the safety of our workforce and implement lifesaving programs is immeasurable," said Maryland State Police Aviation Commander Major Michael Tagliaferri. "The Department is truly grateful to have people like them among the ranks of Maryland's finest."

Source: Maryland State Police
 

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NYPD to Use Drones for Immediate Response to Gunshots

The New York Police Department announced plans to use drones as a response to gunshots. The Drones as First Responders pilot program follows the department's ShotSpotter, which alerts officers of shots fired via smartphones and police radios. The detection system will now transmit the gunfire's location to the drone platforms, and a pilot will trigger a drone to independently travel to the area. An NYPD statement explained that police officers enroute to the scene can view the drone's live feed on a smartphone. 

The NYPD did not specify where the drones would operate but mentioned plans to install drone platforms on precinct rooftops in Brooklyn, Central Park, and the Bronx. The locations were chosen based on recent crime trends. 

It was reported that the NYPD's fleet features 85 drones and saw a 420% increase in usage in 2023 compared to 2022. Applications include the inspection of bridges and buildings, monitoring protests, and measuring crowd size. 

Source: thomasnet.com
 

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PA Agency Sees Success in New Drone Program

The Exeter Township (PA) Police Department launched its drone program at the start of the year, and the department reports it's really paying off. "We've noticed that we've used them a lot just in the past few months and their capabilities, we're just starting to realize now," said PIO/Lt. Sean Fullerton of the Exeter Township Police Department.

The capability gives the department perspective that is not available to officers on the ground. The drones can fly up to 400 feet and as far as 6 miles away and they've already been used to assist a number of different agencies. "One of them is a thermal imaging camera," explained Fullerton. "So, it'll see the heat instead of seeing the light. Whether it's nighttime or daytime, if you're looking for a subject, whether it's a runaway or an endangered person, or perhaps a suspect of a crime, in some cases that thermal imaging can be very beneficial for us."

Within the first few weeks of the program, Exeter Police were able to help a neighboring agency get a suspect in custody after he fled from police. They have also helped with federal and state investigations. "The way we look at it, we got two bargain helicopters," Fullerton said. "They can get up in seconds, they're a lot cheaper, they're very capable, they're fast, they fly far and that information that they get back to us digitally is immediate."

Currently, the department has three pilots who are credentialed and certified through the FAA and police say they're hoping to get more officers ready to fly.

Source: wfmz.com
 

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Simi Valley to Launch Police Drone Program

The Simi Valley (CA) Police Department received city approval last month to establish a drone program and buy four or five drones as soon as possible. The department hopes to have them operational by the fall, Police Chief Steve Shorts said. The department already has three officers who are drone pilots. The estimated cost is $55,000 and includes software, video feed and training, Shorts said. He added the money would come from the city's general fund.

In the past, Simi Valley police have had to wait for helicopters from the Los Angeles Police Department or the Ventura County Sheriff's Office for aerial views during crimes. An officer at a crime scene will be able to launch a drone immediately, and the units would send live video to the dispatcher and officers at the crime scene to help catch suspects. Drones could more easily survey traffic collision scenes and events such as fairs, and could help police stakeouts.

Source: vcstar.com
 

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Drone and K-9 Unit Lead to Arrests in Auto Burglary Spree

Three minors were arrested after they were committing auto burglaries in a community in Port St. Lucie, FL. The Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD) said on May 11 at around 1:48 a.m., officers responded to a report of three suspects committing auto burglaries. The first officer at the scene was able to deploy a drone, and he was then able to locate the three suspects as they walked into the neighborhood. In the video, the alleged trio of thieves saw the officers approaching them and ran off in different directions.

One of the juvenile suspects was chased down by an officer the PSLPD said "doesn't skip cardio," while the second and third were tracked down by police K-9s. One was found hiding in a wooded area, while the last one was caught hiding in a bush in someone's backyard. 

All three juvenile suspects were arrested and taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice where they face the following counts: burglary to an unoccupied conveyance, possession of burglary tools, loitering and prowling, resisting an officer without violence, wearing a mask during the commission of a crime and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Source: cbs12.com
 

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ND Agency Receives $35,000 Donation for Drones

The Mandan Police Department will be the first agency in the state of North Dakota to get specialized drones. Marathon Petroleum recently awarded $35,000 to the department for the newest technology.

Mandan Police have had two drones for the past three years, but officers are looking for some advancements. "They are tactical in that they are made to take some abuse," said Deputy Chief Jason Bier. The two new drones will have the same capabilities as the old ones, like cameras with thermal sensors, but with some additions. "Communication systems with them so we will be able to talk through the drone to anybody we encounter," said Bier.

The drones are made for indoors. They can break windows, push open doors and more. All of this makes the job more efficient. "Take a drone into a situation where we don't initially need to put an officer into harm's way," said Bier. He said the drones are used to help search for missing people, suspects and vehicles, watch over law enforcement functions and even reconstruct crash scenes. "They have so many uses. When we're able to put a camera in the sky and see things from above, it's just something we haven't had prior to drones," said Bier.

The new tactical drones are expected to arrive this month. The agency has four officers certified to fly drones, with a couple more in the program.

Source: kfyrtv.com
 

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APSA Attending Commercial UAV Expo

Commercial UAV Expo is an international conference and expo exclusively focused on commercial UAS integration, operation and real-world use cases that drive efficiency, safety, and effectiveness. Attendees can also expect to hear about cross-industry and broader themes, such as FAA regulation for BVLOS operations, data management, AI strategies, battery range, and more, as presenters will explore the current landscape and uncover the opportunities and challenges ahead. 

The event will take place September 3-5, 2024, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV and APSA will be there. Stop by booth # 853 to visit with APSA CEO Dan Schwarzbach and Training Program Manager Dan Knight to learn how APSA training can enhance your public safety UAS operations. 


 

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Denver Further Develops Drone Program with Foundation Grant

The Denver (CO) Police Department is working to further develop its drone program, with the eventual hope being drones will respond to emergency situations before an officer meets them there. "We're doing the... crawl, walk, run approach with our drone program," said Philip Gonshak, the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Denver Police Department. "Our ultimate goal is to kind of augment public safety and make sure that we are responsive quicker," he said.

The first part of the drone program will allow for DPD officers to respond to an in-progress situation and deploy a drone from their patrol vehicles. The "patrol-led" portion of the program will allow drones and officers to respond to "anything that's emergent and has a nexus to public safety being our No. 1 priority," Gonshak explained.

The other part of the program will eventually be the drones as first responders portion. "Ultimately, we would like to get to the point where it is drones as first responders," Gonshak said. "That's putting drone systems on top of our headquarters and top of our district stations so that they could respond to calls for service."

The development of the drone program is being made possible thanks to a nearly $100,000 grant from the Denver Police Foundation.

Source:  denver7.com
 

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Police Dogs and Drones Collaborate in New Program

At the East Hartford (CT) Police Department, K-9s and their handlers are joining police drone pilots in a collaboration that takes their ability to do their jobs a level up. East Hartford Police Officer Todd Mona, a noted K-9 trainer and 22-year veteran of the force, is leading the training by orchestrating the officers, the dogs, and the drone teams to work together.

"We all know when it comes to somebody being injured, dementia patients, whatever it might be, time is of the essence." Mona said, "So if the drone can pick them up based on our direction and save time, we can potentially save a life."

There were some 15 agencies from across Connecticut participating in training drills, covering about four city blocks. K-9 and drone teams worked on missing person scenarios, with dogs following the scent on the street and using the drone's eye in the sky.

Ridgefield Police Officer Michael McKnight was alongside his partner, K9 Odin, as they picked up a track. The drone team stayed a step ahead, using thermal imaging to help find their subject. "Especially in Ridgefield since we have a lot of woods and hiking trails, having a drone is just an extra set of eyes that we can have," McKnight said.

Officer Mona added that the work he and the teams are collaborating on between the K-9s, the officers, and the drone teams is the next chapter in law enforcement. "This is the future, and everybody comes together to make it work to help save somebody," Mona said.

Source: fox61.com
 

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Share Your Knowledge in Air Beat, Writers Wanted

Most articles you read in APSA's Air Beat magazine come from members like you. With the help of our editorial staff, it's easy to spotlight the great work of your aviation unit with an article in Air Beat. (It's our editor's job to make you look good, so don't worry if you're not a writer.) Editorial topics include safety, training, maintenance, search and rescue, tactics and more. Our editorial team is always looking for public safety agencies that want to highlight their aviation unit or members who want to share their knowledge, so please reach out.

Whether your missions involve law enforcement, natural resource conservation, firefighting, emergency medical transport, or search and rescue, or if you operate helicopters, fixed-wing or unmanned platforms, we would love to hear from you and be able to spotlight your agency in Air Beat this year. Email us at airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org for information.


 

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APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA's networking, education and training opportunities are unique and specialized for public safety aviation. Let your colleagues and friends know about APSA. Thank you for your membership and helping APSA continue to grow. We would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during May 2024:
 

Corporate Members:APSA CorpLogo
Axxeum, Inc.
Drone Nerds
Paladin Drones
Performance Drone Works (PDW)
TracPlus


Individual Members:
APSA IndividualBenjamin Armer, Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Services Division
Andy Bahn, Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Services Division
Tim Ballard, Oklahoma City (OK) Police Department | Air Support Unit
Brent Biggs, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department | Austin
Linden Blank, Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Timothy Brennan, Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Services Division
Brien Callaway, California Highway Patrol
Dray Carlton, Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Anthony Carter, Delaware State Police | Aviation Section - North Unit
Ryan Castro, Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Services Division
Nicholas Chapman, Baltimore Police
Joe Christie, Fort Bend County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Gina Corbitt, Hillsborough County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Robert Cote, Hillsborough County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Wayne Davis, Winnipeg Police Service-Flight Operations Unit
Robert Dimel, Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Santa Ana
Domenic Dirienzo, US Secret Service | Communications Center (RTC)
David Dolenar, Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Services Division
Burroughs Edgar, Peoria (AZ) Police Department
Adam Foltz, El Dorado County (CA) Sheriff's Office | Public Administration
Darin Fox, Peoria (AZ) Fire Department
Garrett Gennai, El Dorado County (CA) Sheriff's Office | Public Administration
K.Zane Greenwood, Texas DPS AOD
Matthew Hardgrove, U.S. COAST GUARD
Rockne Harmon, CAARNG CDTF
Tyrie Haught, OK DPS
Michael Hickman
James Hutton, Miami-Dade County Police Department
Lyle Johnson, Miami-Dade (FL) Police Department | Opa Locka
Daniel Jones, US Secret Service | Communications Center (RTC)
Joseph Jones, US Secret Service | Communications Center (RTC)
John Kitto, Dept. of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service
Maxwell Konig, Hillsborough County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
David Larson, Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Todd Lund, Winnipeg Police Service-Flight Operations Unit
Dylan McLean, El Dorado County (CA) Sheriff's Office | Public Administration
Keith Mohan, Miami-Dade (FL) Police Department | Opa Locka
Michael Mundy, Miami-Dade (FL) Police Department | Opa Locka
John Naehrbass, Peoria (AZ) Police Department
Kevin Oreto, Ottawa (ON) Police Service
Sean Ottey, US Secret Service | Communications Center (RTC)
Daniel Peters, Mitchinson Flight Centre / Civil Air Search And Rescue Association (CASARA)
Jason Phillips, Hillsborough County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Gregory Plitsch, New York State Police Aviation
Cindy Ranger, Calgary Police Service
Timothy Rostkowski, Baltimore County (MD) Fire Department
Michael Seligsohn, El Dorado County (CA) Sheriff's Office | Public Administration
Mike Serbanic, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department | Austin
Lindsey Smith, Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Services Division
Terrill Spell, Liberty University
Konlin Squires, Utah Department of Public Safety
Scott Stone, Broward County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Brian Thomason, Hunt County Sheriff’s Office
Jason Whited, DHS/ICE/OFTP
Robert Wilfong, Hillsborough County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Donald Wistrom, Dinwiddie County Sheriffs Office
Jared Wolfe, Peoria (AZ) Police Department
Brian Wood, Washington County (OR) Sheriff's Office
        

    
If you know of other public safety aviators or industry-related companies that could benefit by becoming APSA members, please share this link and help our association grow! 

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airbeat@PublicSafetyAviation.org


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APSA E-Newsletter Staff  
Dan Schwarzbach, Editor dschwarzbach@PublicSafetyAviation.org
Lisa Wright, Editorial Director airbeat@PublicSafetyAviation.org
APSA, Publisher webmaster@PublicSafetyAviation.org
Emily Tarr, Sales Representative etarr@PublicSafetyAviation.org

This newsletter is published monthly by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), a public benefit, non-profit California corporation. APSA is comprised of air crew and air support personnel in public safety and others who support, promote, and advance the safe and effective use of aircraft by governmental agencies in support of public safety operations.

(c) Copyright 2024 by the Airborne Public Safety Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this newsletter in whole or in part without written permission from the Editor is prohibited. Product and corporate names mentioned in this newsletter are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), its Board of Directors, staff or membership; nor shall their publication imply endorsement on the part of APSA of any content or claims made therein. APSA disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and makes no judgment regarding the accuracy of posted information. In no event will APSA be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the publication or any subsequent public distribution thereof.

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