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Bow Selectmen approve police department drone purchase and authorize a municipal towing rotation
Summary
The board approved up to $10,000 from police department lapsed funds for a thermal‑capable drone and authorized a weekly tow rotation policy to reduce long tow response times; the police will adopt an operational policy and pursue a small grant to offset purchase cost.
Selectmen voted April 8 to allow the Bow Police Department to purchase an unmanned aerial system (drone) and to authorize a towing rotation intended to shorten tow response times.
Lede and funding: A motion to approve the drone purchase — capped at $10,000 and to be paid from lapsing police department funds — passed on a voice vote. Officer Joe Rayum, who has completed the pilot certification course, described operational uses for a thermal‑equipped drone during night searches and active‑shooter perimeters: “Having a drone with the thermal imaging would allow us to do a perimeter check to make sure there were no heat signatures,” he said.
Policy and training: Chief Miller and Officer Rayum told the board the department has a written policy vetted by the town attorney covering authorized uses, safety and FAA coordination, and that they plan to certify at least one additional operator. The department will apply for a Crime Stoppers or similar grant (up to $3,000) this fall; if awarded, the grant funds would be applied after purchase.
Towing rotation: Police also proposed moving from a single vendor arrangement to a formal towing rotation. Under the new system local towing companies would be placed on a weekly rotation; dispatch will ask vendors for an estimated ETA and if the vendor cannot meet a 30‑minute response standard, officers may request the next vendor on the rotation. The motion to authorize the department to establish the tow rotation passed by voice vote. The board said the policy would include insurance, equipment and location requirements and require participating companies to agree to uniform pricing for certain municipal calls to promote fairness and predictability for residents.
Votes and next steps: The Selectmen recorded voice votes approving both actions. Chief Miller said he will finalize the drone procurement details and the towing‑rotation contracts and return to the board with any contract language necessary for signature.
