Police in Lakewood, Colorado, use drone to save teen's life

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

A little over a month ago, officers with the Lakewood Police Department were able to resuscitate an intoxicated teenager who was no longer breathing. Officers used a drone equipped with an infrared camera to find the teen. (Lakewood Police Department)

DENVER (KDVR) — A little over a month ago, officers with the Lakewood, Colorado Police Department revived a drunk teenager who was no longer breathing.

Police said the teen would probably not have survived if it weren't for the help of technology, particularly a drone used to aid the search.

The incident occurred on May 10. Officers responded to a call about “a group of intoxicated youths” just before 9 p.m. near the Colorado Mills Mall.

One of the juveniles told officers that one of their friends, a “very drunk” teenager, had walked away and disappeared.

The minors told the police where their friend had gone.

“They pointed out a large open field, no lights, just an open space in pitch black,” Lakewood police said in a Facebook post.

This is when life-saving technology came in handy. LPD said Officer Bacon requested a drone operator to come to the scene and Officer Taylor quickly responded with the drone.

The drone was equipped with an infrared camera to see in the dark. With the camera, Officer Taylor spotted “what appeared to be a small person lying in the brush.”

A little over a month ago, officers with the Lakewood Police Department were able to resuscitate an intoxicated teenager who was no longer breathing. Officers used a drone equipped with an infrared camera to find the teen. (Lakewood Police Department)
A little over a month ago, officers with the Lakewood Police Department were able to resuscitate an intoxicated teenager who was no longer breathing. Officers used a drone equipped with an infrared camera to find the teen. (Lakewood Police Department)

Taylor directed other officers to the teen, who was no longer breathing.

They immediately began lifesaving efforts by performing CPR and placing the teen in the recovery position. The LPD said these efforts “allowed a young boy to have a second chance at life.”

Lakewood police said its drone team, which began in 2018, has helped in many areas, including search and rescue missions, evidence gathering, documenting traffic accidents and crime scenes, locating suspects and victims, providing situational awareness to other officers, and partnering with the SWAT team. during tactical operations.

“Without the use of the drone during this call, officers may not have located the teen in time to save his life,” police said.