Conroe Police Drone as First Responder Helps Locate Man in Early Morning Interstate 45 Welfare Check

CONROE, TX -- In the early morning hours of August 22nd, around 2:40 a.m., Conroe Police Department dispatch received a call from a concerned citizen regarding a friend who needed assistance. The only location information available was a Life360 location near Cowboy Kia.

A Drone as First Responder (DFR) drone was immediately deployed to check the area. The drone arrived before responding officers and began searching for the individual.

With no description of the person or vehicle available, the DFR pilot carefully searched the area for anything that appeared out of place. Along the shoulder of Interstate 45, the pilot located a passenger vehicle stopped with its hazard lights on. The drone also observed movement in the car.

The DFR pilot immediately relayed the vehicle's location and observations to responding officers. Officers arrived a short time later and made contact with the individual, who was confirmed to be the friend the caller was concerned about. Officers were able to check on his welfare, provide assistance, and determine that he was okay.

This is another great example of the benefits of our Drone as First Responder program. DFR provides officers with an additional set of eyes in the air, allowing us to quickly search large areas, locate people and vehicles, and provide responding officers with valuable real-time information before they arrive.

In situations where every minute can matter, DFR technology helps our officers respond faster, safer, and with better information.