April 28, 2022 3:30 a.m.

The Myrtle Creek Police Department is thanking local businesses and private citizens that supported and donated money to help them purchase a drone.

Chief of Police Jonathan Brewster said Officer Matt Kennedy came up with the idea and saw the benefits of having a drone available to the department. Brewster said Kennedy contacted local businesses and was able to get $7,250 in donations, which will be enough money to purchase a drone that will meet the needs of the department.

Brewster said the drone will be considered for deployment for the following reasons:

*When there is a report of a missing child or missing person with mental disabilities such as dementia or alzheimer’s

*Search and rescue missions or a natural disaster event where the drone could benefit public safety

*When a suspect is at large, poses a threat to the public and a perimeter has been set up by law enforcement with a specific area the suspect is believed to be in

*When granted authorization by a Judge through a Search Warrant Application

Brewster thanked these donors: Grocery Outlet, Ireland Trucking, Ray’s Food Place, DR Johnson, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Tower Timber, Myrtle Creek Abby’s Pizza and Myrtle Creek MSK True Value.