The Tallulah Falls Town Council approved a police department budget amendment at their Thursday night meeting to purchase a drone for Habersham County. The town will spend $27,516 to purchase the drone, using money generated by the speed zone cameras on Highway 441 at Tallulah Falls School.
“We are purchasing some drones for Rabun County, and I believe this is a carbon copy of that for Habersham,” explained Mayor Mike Early.
Councilmember Scott Augustine asked, “Is this for one or two drones?” To which Tallulah Falls Police Chief Tonya Elrod responded, “Just the one big drone.”
Councilman Joey Fountain asked, “Is anybody qualified (to operate the drone) in Tallulah Falls?” Elrod responded that she was working on that issue.
Questioning the need
“I hate to be the lone wolf here, but I understood more why we needed Rabun, why the park needed one, but I don’t understand why we need to buy Habersham one?” questioned Augustine. “All I see is their hands are out. That’s all I see,” he added.
Elrod responded, “They (Habersham County) contacted me and asked, since we bought [drones for] Rabun, if we wouldn’t care to buy them one. I told them I would have to put it before the council and go from there.”
Councilmember Craig Weatherly asked Chief Elrod, “What are your thoughts on Habersham? We have the money. We know that. What’s your opinion?”
“They both kind of help us. If we do have something, they can put one in each end and do their search and rescue,” Elrod responded.
Early added to the conversation, “As part of these agreements with the counties and DNR, is they get to use it for their own use also. There may be a case where drones in Rabun County may be tied up on a search and rescue mission, and we need something here, and DNR can’t get here fast enough, but Habersham could.”
Augustine made the motion to purchase the drone, and Fountain seconded the motion. The Council unanimously approved the purchase.
Drone specs
The drone will be well-equipped according to the spec sheet. It will have a spotlight, a throwing hook, and a camera.
The drone will have a payload capacity of approximately six pounds and a flying time of 55 minutes. The throwing hook allows the drone to deliver small amounts of medical supplies, a phone, or a portable radio. The camera will have a laser rangefinder, a thermal imaging sensor, and the ability to take photos and video. The spotlight is bright enough to assist with search and rescue operations at night.
