Posted by Tim Kelley
Arlington Rotary recently purchased a drone for the Arlington Police Department.  The donation was funded in part with a grant from Rotary District 7930.   
 
The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series drone will be used by officers for emergency calls for service such as water or ice rescues and to search for missing persons.  Arlington Chief of Police Julie Flaherty said: “We are grateful to President Buckley and the District 7930 Arlington MA Rotary Club for this donation to the department and to the town.  Drones are a valuable asset to a police department for many purposes, and we will put the equipment to good use. The Arlington Police Department has had many valuable experiences with the Rotary Club, and their support of their community is inspiring and appreciated.”
 
Arlington Rotary President Paul Buckley stated: “Arlington Rotary is proud to be donating a Mavik 3 Thermal drone to the Arlington Police Department to assist them in keeping our town safe.  The drone will allow them to monitor and search areas in a more efficient and safer manner. We were able to do this as part of a Rotary District Grant. With past search issues on land and in water, it will be good to know our police have modern tools to assist them.”
 
Four Arlington Police Department personnel will be trained and receive remote pilot certifications. Once certified, they will be able to operate the drone on behalf of the department for various tactical and operational purposes, as well as at community events.
 
About the Rotary Club of Arlington: The Rotary Club of Arlington, MA became a chartered club of Rotary in 1924. Club members are committed to the mission of Rotary – “Service Above Self.” Projects and organizations that the club supports include Arlington EATS, Arlington Boys and Girls Club, The Children’s Room, Food Link, Fidelity House, Salvation Army, Bedford VA, The Beech Street Center-Council on Aging in Belmont, The Belmont Food Pantry, Visiting Nurse and Community Care – Arlington, Central Food Ministry- Lowell, Our Lady of the Assumption School – Lynnfield and many more. The club hosts Flags for Heroes each year which helps fund three scholarships given annually to a student from AHS, AC, and Minuteman. In addition to local service the club supports End Polio Now which is dedicated to eradicating polio. Visit their website at: arlingtonmarotary.com.