The Perry Police Department was granted a generous donation from a local nonprofit organization on Monday.

According to 100+ People for Perry Co-Organizer Tom Lipovac, the group held their third quarterly meeting at Hotel Pattee, where they awarded a $6,600 pledged donation to the police department to help purchase a drone. Police Chief Jim Archer explains that the department explored the possibility of getting a drone under former Chief Eric Vaughn, as it would provide assistance to emergency situations, such as searching for a missing person or keeping track of someone trying to flee from a vehicle in a pursuit. 

Archer notes that the department was able to receive donations from former officer Verle Hagland’s family in order to purchase a used drone from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, that is five years old but still in good condition. He states that the latest donation from the 100+ People for Perry group will go a long way towards acquiring a new drone.

“It really means a lot to get something like that. The community really has helped and is putting money towards our program, which is kind of a luxury because obviously city budgets are kind of tight nowadays. It’s certainly going to be a boost for our drone program. We’re very thankful for the 100+ People for Perry to take up our cause and help us out with that.”

Archer reveals that the Perry Police Department currently has one licensed drone officer and three more individuals that are training to get their licenses. Lipovac shares that the final 100+ People for Perry meeting of the year is taking place on Monday, November 24th at Hotel Pattee.