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Del City police credit drones for quick rescue of missing autistic child and interagency support
Summary
Del City Police described recent uses of its drone program, including aerial support for an Oklahoma City Community College commemoration and a Nov. 22 search that located an 11-year-old autistic girl within 20–30 minutes; council praised the program and 'Shop with a Cop' was detailed.
Chief Burger, Del City police chief, told the council the department recently received a letter from Daniel Piazza, chief of police at Oklahoma City Community College, thanking Del City for drone assistance during a high-profile Oct. 7 commemoration. The letter, Chief Burger said, praised the professionalism of Del City’s drone operators and highlighted interagency cooperation.
Chief Burger recounted a Nov. 22 overnight call in which two police drones split a search area in the Hartsdale neighborhood and detected a heat signature that led ground units and the fire department to an 11-year-old autistic girl walking on a street. “About 20 to 30 minutes later, they were able to find the 11-year-old,” Chief Burger said, crediting the drone team and joint operations for the quick recovery.
Councilmembers responded with praise for the police technology and training. One trustee recalled visiting the department’s new CAD/RMS system and said it “has taken us into the 21st century,” and another thanked officers for their service. Chief Burger also invited councilmembers to tour the new system and described ongoing training to meet and exceed state requirements.
The chief provided details on the department’s community programs: ‘Shop with a Cop’ is scheduled for Saturday with 20 children confirmed; each will have $250 to spend and Walmart agreed to donate bicycles. The chief said local partners have provided backpacks and school supplies to support participants.
The council did not take a separate formal vote on the drone program during the meeting; members used the reports and examples to commend public-safety investments and to encourage continued interagency relations.
The department plans to continue the drone program and training; the council’s next scheduled meeting will be Dec. 16 where ongoing public-safety or budget matters could be revisited if needed.
