Logan Township Police Department gets grant for 2 drones
Norfolk Southern awards $14,200
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The Logan Township Police Department has received a $14,200 grant from Norfolk Southern that will pay for two drones, along with drone operator training, according to a department Facebook post.
In addition to helping the department deal with derailments, right-of-way trespass, rail yard security and hazardous materials incidents on the mainline, the drones will help with search and rescue, large public events and other incidents in the community, according to the post.
"The drones will improve situational awareness, response times and responder safety," the post states.
The money was awarded through Norfolk's Safety First, one of two grant programs the company launched in 2023, according to an NS web page.
With allocations up to $15,000, the program supports organizations that deliver safety services or champion safety practices, with the goal of promoting overall community safety along the company's 22-state network, according to the web page and information provided by NS spokeswoman Heather Garcia.
The program accepts applications from government entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that in most cases are located within 30 miles of an NS main line, according to an FAQ sheet on the web page.
The NS mainline in Pennsylvania runs through Logan Township.
There have been several derailments in recent years within the township.
Since the programs began, Norfolk Southern has awarded more than $17 million through the Safety First and the related Thriving Communities program, according to information provided by Garcia.
Logan Police Chief Devon Moran became aware of the grant opportunity during his interactions with NS officials in connection with the recent visit of the Union Pacific's Big Boy steam locomotive, according to Logan Township Supervisors' Chairman Jim Patterson.
It likely came up in conversation, perhaps related to NS drones that were used during the Big Boy's visit, Patterson said.
One of the reasons the supervisors hired Moran as chief was his knowledge of grant opportunities and his intention to be always on the lookout for grants, according to Patterson.
He's been "very proactive," Patterson said.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.