Like so many other first responder agencies throughout the country, the Town of Shawangunk Police Department has been assisting the local fire department to coordinate birthday drive-bys. The drive-through birthdays parties have brought joy to young and old alike confined by the coronavirus pandemic.
But the Shawangunk Police have a special weapon in their arsenal – a drone that successfully dropped a surprise birthday present on the front lawn of a delighted second-grade boy last week on Sycamore drive in Wallkill.
“In addition to being patrol officer I’m also a UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Service) pilot,” said Officer Darren Parker. “I fly our agency’s UAS (drone).
On April 28, the party was in full swing on Sycamore Drive, complete with fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, and civilians in their respective vehicles all driving past the boy’s home. Then came the “contactless delivery” of the gift.
“We launched our drone and made a candy gift bag which we utilized our payload drop system,” Parker said. “We flew over the boy’s house with police lights on and had another officer on the ground to clear the drop zone. I then piloted to the front yard and successfully dropped the gift bag to the boy.”
For Parker, it was the first time the drone has been utilized for a birthday drop, although it has served the police department previously for various training exercises.
“The integration of the drone into our agency was done thru donations from Fair-Rite Products Corp. (of Wallkill),” Parker explained. “I then trained and tested out as a certified Unmanned aircraft pilot thru the FAA. I haven’t flown to many official missions, however I have done a crime scene topography, and a trespass complaint where I located a trespasser.”
It’s doubtful, though, that other police exercises brought the type of joy that was experienced last week.
“The family personally came over to me and stated that this was such an emotional surprise and it surely put a smile on their son’s face,” Parker said. “Thanks so much to all the essential workers for making the time to come out and bring resources like this to boost morale and spirits to our communities, That response truly touched my heart and made me realize why I continue to do this job for going on 20 years now.”
Residents of the Town of Shawangunk who would like to schedule a drive by (and possibly a fly-by, weather permitting) are invited to call the police station at 895-2317 or contact Officer Nicole Brooks at ofc.brooks@shawangunk.org.