Drone Technology Aids Ramapo Police In Arrest Of Assault Suspect

A unique piece of equipment assisted the Ramapo Police Department with an arrest Friday morning.

According to a Facebook post from the Police Department, officers responded Thursday morning to reports of a female who was hit in the face by her boyfriend.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene in a white taxicab.

Police said at the time of the call, their RAPTOR Paladin DFR drone unit was already airborne on another mission but "immediately redirected to assist."

The Paladin DFR drone then located the white taxi and tracked it to a Hillcrest area driveway, where two got out and went into a home. Police identified one of those people as the assault suspect.

"Based on this real-time information, officers were directed to the residence, which ultimately led to the suspect’s arrest," the PD Facebook post reads. "This is another example of how our Paladin DFR program helps officers quickly and precisely direct resources where they are needed most."

The 27-year-old suspect, who was not named by police, was arraigned Friday afternoon on the assault charge and then released with an appearance ticket. An order of protection was also issued.

What is a Paladin DFR Drone?

Drone as First Responder (DFR) refers to the systems that automatically dispatch drones to emergency calls (like 911 calls) so they can arrive on scene before ground responders.

The Texas-based company's main goal is to provide live aerial situational awareness — so police, fire, or EMS teams know what they’re approaching before they get there, according to the website. DFR was developed to eliminate the delay caused by piloted drones.

"We develop advanced Drone as a First Responder (DFR) technology to empower public safety," Paladin's Facebook page says. "Our DFR system is built to save lives and support communities. Discover how our technology transforms emergency response and makes a difference in critical moments."

The Ramapo Police Department is the only law enforcement using the Paladin drones in the Hudson Valley Region.

What Makes a Paladin Drone Different from Traditional Drones?

Traditional drone programs require a trained pilot who needs to physically launch and operate and fly the drone, which then makes them slower to deploy. Instead, DFR systems like Paladin’s automate the launch and control the aircraft from a dispatch center, meaning the drone can reach the scene before first responders.

Stunning Drone Pics Show Remains Of Frontier Town In The ADKS

Many of us in the Capital Region have fond childhood memories while visiting our grand Adirondack Mountains. Some remember the early years of Storytown (now known as the Great Escape), some were partial to Water Slide World, while others enjoyed the horses, buggies, and stagecoach bandits at Frontier Town.

Frontier Town, located in Schroon Lake, NY, was started back in 1952 by a man named Arthur Bensen. Bensen designed it to be a theme park for kids and a big playground for adults. For more than 40 years, Frontier Town and its trick riders, bucking broncos, horses and buggies, and stagecoach bandits, was an Adirondack destination.

As other attractions in the Lake George area grew more popular, thinning crowds forced Frontier Town to shut down in 1998, and for 20 years it sat vacant, abandoned, and neglected.

Eventually, New York State would buy the land and redevelop the rotting theme park and

in the fall of 2018, the site was reopened.

The former Frontier Town is now a New York State Park where guests can camp, hike, take trails by horse and bike, and picnic. Certain trails are off-limits for guests, although many are open year-round.

Several of the original Frontier Town signs remain on the property. The entranceway to Frontier Town now stands as a deluxe rest stop with food, souvenirs, and bathrooms and the space can be rented out to host parties.

Most have never viewed the Adirondacks quite like this and we were allowed to publish these oddly beautiful photos high above Frontier Town thanks to Adirondack Drone.

Gallery Credit: Brian Cody TSM Albany