Drones and the Cooper River Bridge Run

Cooper River Bridge Run Public Safety Agencies Comment on Use of Drones during the 40^th CRBR

April 1^st marks the 40^th anniversary of the Cooper River Bridge Run.  The run is expected to draw forty thousand runners and up to a hundred thousand spectators along the 6.2 mile course from Mount Pleasant over the Ravenel Bridge and in to the City of Charleston.  

Due to the large number of press and event associated manned aircraft, including fixed wing and helicopters that will be flying on race day, local Public Safety officials are mandating that the public refrain from flying drones along the route and, in particular, in the vicinity of the Ravenel Bridge. “This will help us ensure we have a safe event,” said leaders from the Town of Mount Pleasant, City of Charleston and Charleston County.  Local law enforcement agencies will be monitoring the area and will take appropriate action if they observe drones flying in the vicinity of the race route.  

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Press Release

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Mount Pleasant, SC – The Mount Pleasant Police Department acquired a DJI Inspire unmanned aircraft system (UAS) as a tool to assist in law enforcement operations. This new tool will be available for use in missing person cases, disaster response, HAZMAT response, barricaded persons, serious traffic collisions, special events, and any other instance where there is a need for an aerial perspective.

“In the case of a missing child or person, this system will allow us to access more areas than just having officers working on the ground,” said Inspector Chip Googe. “The UAS will also allow us more security options during special events like the Bridge Run and the Children’s Day Festival.”

The Mount Pleasant Police Department received clearance from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to begin operations and the initial training of the six officers who will operate the UAS was donated by SkyView Aerial Solutions. "Our law enforcement men and women are selfless servants and they never stop protecting our communities. They deserve the best equipment and training to help them perform this great work,” says SkyView CEO Tom Fernandez. “For over 2-years, SkyView Aerial Solutions has used drones commercially and for public safety all over South Carolina. Our experience is vast and we have learned many valuable lessons. Therefore, we donated our time to the Mount Pleasant Police Department to teach them what we know about small drones. Our donation is but a small token of appreciation for all that they do for us."

“The use of the UAS will enhance the Mount Pleasant Police Department’s ability to effectively serve our citizens and is an opportunity for us to use technology to keep the community and officers safe,” says Chief Carl Ritchie.