By Theresa Knapp

The Holliston Police Department recently welcomed a new addition to the department: a “public safety drone.” 

The drone made its debut at the Holliston 300th parade in May, says Chief of Police Matthew Stone. 

“We recently used the drone for the 300th parade, Holliston High School graduation, and a missing persons search in Sherborn,” says Stone, adding “drones can be used for a number of other public safety functions including, but not limited to, missing persons, search and rescue, motor vehicle crashes, large scale events, fire incidents to assist with detection of hotspots, crime scene documentation, disaster response, and hostage situations.”Chief Stone said the department plans to use the drone in conjunction with its social media presence and for aerial photography around town. Currently, the HPD has one FAA certified drone operator (Ryan Parent) and is in the process of getting a second officer certified by the FAA so they can deploy the drone on a more regular basis.

Funding for the drone was approved at the October 2023 Town Meeting. The drone system was funded as a capital request of $27,500 which covered the system and all necessary equipment to successfully run the program, said Stone. It was ordered over the winter and arrived in town early spring. 

To see drone footage of the Holliston 300th parade, visit www.facebook.com/HollistonPolice/videos/297200806815485