ODESSA, Texas — On Friday morning, the Odessa Police Department received a nearly $30,000 donation from Phillips 66, all for the advancement of their drone program.
OPD purchased four drones that costed around $6,000 each.
The additional drones will enhance the safety of both the community and first responders.
"I believe with what we did today in assisting the OPD is to assist them with the community and making it one, a safer place and also for the safety of our police officers," said Art Rodriguez, the operations area supervisor for damage prevention for Phillips 66. "We use the drones in our industry, we know how it has impacted how we do business today and the benefits of them."
OPD Police Chief Mike Gerke believes the drones will be a game changer for his department.
"They help us find those wanted subjects when we need help. When they run from us, when they hide from us. They help us find lost children when we're searching, searching lost children when we have, unfortunately, maybe those elderly folks that are having some issues and they wander away," Chief Gerke said. "That will help us find those they help us monitor large events to help keep our public safe."
So far the department has several pilots for the drones and more officers are eager to join the tech programs that OPD has.
The new drones are also helping to compensate for the officer shortage.