Drone demonstation a highlight of Parker Night Out

Linn County Sheriff's Office Deputies Robert Maloney, left, and Kyler Parscale prepare to launch one of the office's drones at a Nite Out Against Crime event at the Parker Senior Center. (Photos by Roger Sims/Linn County Journal)

PARKER – About 40 people turned out for Parker’s Night Out Against Crime on Saturday evening, Oct. 21.

The Linn County Fire Department gave out firefighter helmets to the kids and allowed them to sit in one of the fire trucks.

Hot dogs, cinnamon rolls and beverages were served, and the event gave community residents the opportunity to talk to law enforcement and fire department personnel.

Carrie Sewell and Wendy Kinder dish out hot dogs to the more than 40 people who attended the Parker Night Out Against Crime.

One of the big draws was the demonstration of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office’s drone. The drone, with a price tag estimated at about $15,000, was put through its paces as residents watched both the drone in the air and the image it projected onto the screen attached to the back of a patrol SUV.

Deputy Robert Maloney told how the drone had been used during an incident at Critzer Lake this summer when a lone gunman threatening suicide randomly fired shots at the camping area, trapping people who were fishing and a deputy assisting them.

Deputy Parscale, left, guides the drone over the Parker Senior Center as Maloney talks to observers about the drone's abilities.