Germantown police show drone video, say device helped locate suspect in overnight pursuit
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Summary
At a Germantown village meeting, police presented a drone video of an overnight foot pursuit on Highway 41 that they say helped officers locate and arrest a suspect charged with OWI (fifth offense), resisting and a repeat-offender modifier; board members asked about privacy and technical limits.
At the Germantown Village Board meeting, a police representative presented a drone video showing how the department used an unmanned aircraft to assist officers in locating and apprehending a suspect who fled a traffic stop on Highway 41.
The police presenter said the stop occurred southbound at Holy Hill Road and that the driver ran from the vehicle. "If it wasn't for the drone, they never would have located the individual," the presenter said while narrating the video. The presenter said the drone followed the suspect through a field, relayed directions to officers on foot and helped guide other officers arriving by road; the subject was taken into custody and turned over to the state patrol.
Why it matters: The department's use of drones raises operational and privacy questions for residents while the technology is also framed by police as a tool that can improve officer safety and search effectiveness.
Details in the presentation: The presenter said calls for service were slightly down in December while reports were up and that the department had "brought on 4 new employees" and conducted multiple training sessions. The video segment was described as taking place around 4:30 a.m.; the presenter identified nearby roads and landmarks including Pleasant Hill Road and noted the operation concluded with the arrest. According to the presenter, charges included OWI (fifth offense), resisting and a repeat-offender modifier.
Board members and attendees asked technical and privacy questions during a follow-up exchange. One board member asked whether a person can hear or see the drone; the police presenter replied, "No. You might be able to hear, like, a buzzing noise, but usually they're up about 300 feet in the air. There is a blinking light on them also, so you may see that." When asked whether the video system can auto-mark and track a person through a crowd, the presenter said current operations "rely[] on the operator of the drone," while acknowledging newer technology may offer such features in the future.
The meeting record shows the monthly police report and drone demonstration were informational; no formal action or policy change was taken at the session. The village will continue to present routine departmental reports at future meetings.
