Board approves drones for sheriff

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors approved purchase of two drones for use in the sheriff’s department at a recent meeting.

Deputy Charles Powell presented the case for use of drones in law enforcement. He is certified as an operator and one other deputy will also be certified.

The board approved a quote of $13,700 from DeltaDrone.

Powell said batteries will operate the drone flight for up to 30 minutes depending on the wind. Extra batteries come with each drone for backup power.

The drones will be used for search and rescue missions and other operations.

The drone has a GPS locater on it so it can be found.

“Fly aways are very, very rare now,” Powell said. “It will automatically return home.” Drones are not licensed to go over 400 feet up. The operator sets the parameters, Powell said, to prevent the drone from exceeding legal limits.

District 4 supervisor George Zinn III made a motion to purchase the drones but got no second.

District 5 supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett made a motion to table the matter until more information could be gathered. District 2 supervisor Eddie Dixon seconded Bennett’s motion and the motion to table passed 4-1 with Zinn opposing the motion to table.

Powell continued. Stock is limited. And the drones can be used for many things and operates at night using thermal imaging. District 1 supervisor Charles Terry noted that a drone could be used to help locate escapees at night. “I am in favor of purchasing,” he said. “Maintenance?” Bennett asked. Powell said software has to be updated and blades checked. Digital imaging data is stored on a data card, he said. “I have never heard anyone say a drone quits on them,” Powell said. “It is almost impossible to crash. If you do, the replacement is free.”

Classes in drone operation are free and a license test costs $175, Powell said.

With that information, Bennett made a motion to reverse the motion to table the matter, and it passed unanimously.

Zinn then made a motion to purchase the drones and Bennett seconded the motion and it passed 4-1 with District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor voting against the purchase.

In other business, the board of supervisors:

• approved purchase of a diesel operated man lift at $25,000.

• learned the final lift is in order for Creekwood Subdivision road now that 90 percent of the house lots have been built on.

• discussed drainage at Katie Jones’ lot on Hernando Road. County engineer Larry Britt said a willow tree at the drainage pipe running under the road can be removed and efforts are being sought to see if Natural Resources Conservation Service would work on a pond in the location that may be contributing to erosion.

“I do not think the county’s pipe is part of the problem,” Britt said.

He said photographs taken on the west side of the house appears to show that water comes around the house and drains into the retention pond.

“You are saying it is not the county?” Terry asked. “What about rip rap?” “I think I can take the tree out and put some rip rap to slow the water down,” Britt said.

Katie Jones, owner, said she has contacted someone who will work with supervisors and the county engineer to study the situation.

“I have to wait for him to get here,” she said. “He’s got me in a program to pay 75 percent of the cost.

“The fight is not over,” Jones said.

She said she already has paid $11,000 to repair the floor that fell out she alleged was caused by the erosion.

“It’s washing away soil every time it rains,” Jones said.