Some local businesses have stepped up to help the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office with money needed to purchase a drone.

LeValley Chevrolet-Buick-GMC, Lane Automotive and Orchard Hill Sanitary Landfill all partnered to provide the funding needed for the the sheriff’s department’s brand new Autel EVO II Dual unmanned drone.

It’s a special drone that’s equipped with a high-resolution thermal camera in a compact platform.

It is able to collect and provide two image sets at once with the use of both thermal and visible imagery.

It’s also the second drone that’s been added. So far, the sheriff’s office has been able to apprehend seven individuals using drone technology, which also helps with locating missing persons and collecting evidence at traffic crashes and crime scenes.